Relating To Environmental Protection.
The bill seeks to address the problems caused by the commercial aquarium pet trade, which has drastically reduced the populations of essential herbivore fish in Hawaiian waters. The trade has indiscriminately taken millions of fish from local reefs, leading to a significant decline in marine biodiversity and threatening the survival of specific fish species. In financial terms, the legislation notes that the management of the aquarium pet trade costs taxpayers about $500,000 annually while generating less than $25,000 in revenue for the state, indicating an unsustainable business model that is detrimental to both the economy and the environment.
Senate Bill 505 aims to prohibit the harvesting of aquatic life for commercial aquarium purposes in Hawaii. The bill emphasizes the importance of coral reefs, which are crucial to the state's ecosystem and valued at approximately $33.57 billion. It highlights the negative impact of climate change on coral reefs, predicting a loss of 70% of these vital ecosystems over the next 25 years. The bill identifies herbivore fish as essential to the health of coral reefs, protecting them from harmful algal overgrowth, and underscores the significance of these species for local fishers who depend on them for sustenance.
The specifics of SB505 align with existing state laws aimed at environmental conservation, including previous prohibitions on the extraction of marine resources. It is also designed to ensure that traditional and customary fishing rights and practices remain protected. The legislation is presented as necessary for the preservation of Hawaii’s natural resources which belong to the public, maintaining that the health of coral reefs is fundamental to the cultural, environmental, and economic fabric of the state.