Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.


Starbulletin.com


Tuesday, December 12, 2000



Groups: Reserve
saves reef, hurts
fishermen

One advocate says the preserve
encourages tourism; fishermen
say the measure is too extreme


By Harold Morse
Star-Bulletin

Fishery interests and environmental advocates clashed over President Clinton's executive order creating the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Coral Reef Ecosystem Reserve last night during a four-hour hearing.

Patricia Ayeres, a volunteer at Hanauma Bay, said protective measures have helped that six-acre spot. "I would like to see the Northwestern Islands protected in that same way," she said. "I would really like to see this preserved in the way Clinton has asked for it."

Cindy Hunter, who called herself a research associate and cheerleader at Waikiki Aquarium, enthusiastically supported Clinton's plan. "If anybody here really thinks that Bill Clinton came up with this idea on his own, I hope they reconsider," she said.

But Kitty Simonds, executive director of the Western Pacific Fishery Management Council, disputed claims that the waters of the proposed reserve are fished out. "None of the fishery resources that we manage are overfished," she said.

The Council has an alternative to the president's plan that will protect the reefs, and its Coral Reef Ecosystem fishery management plan is accompanied by a draft environmental impact statement, she said.

"While the executive order may appear to have the advantage of speed, the Council's approach has the advantage of being both legal and enforceable," she said.

Gigi Glover, speaking in favor of the president's plan for preserving the resources of the islands, saw it differently. Tourism is the economic linchpin in Hawaii -- and visitors come here because of the ocean and related attractions, she said.

"Mother nature can't compete with the technology today," Glover said. "We will not be able to support anyone in our state if we don't maintain the ocean."

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration hearing on the the string of islets, atolls and reefs that extend for 1,200 miles northwest of the main Hawaiian Islands drew about 300 people to the Garden Lanai of Ala Moana Hotel.

A similar hearing was held last night on the Big Island's Kailua-Kona side. Other hearings are set for Hilo and the rest of the islands this week. Public input gathered at the hearings will be considered as the details of the reserve are formalized.

Bobby Gomes said he fishes in waters of the proposed reserve 220 days a year and that the plan will hurt fishermen big time. Gale-force winds and 35-foot waves have a way of protecting the fish population, he said.

"There's no way I can fish these waters out in my lifetime," he said.

Jay Johnson, retired from NOAA as chief fisheries lawyer, said there is no problem with the president declaring an ecosystem reserve, but there is a problem with the way the executive order seeks to establish fishing regulations.

Only the Secretary of Commerce can issue final regulations, and the president's plan may be unenforceable, he said.

"We oppose the executive order as written," said Sue Myking, representing her husband and crew. "The executive order goes far beyond what is necessary to protect the coral reef. We oppose the order not only because it's our livelihood but it's such an extreme measure. ... It allows no lobster fishing at all."

Stu Simmons agreed. "Hawaiian lobster fishing is the most regulated fishery in the entire world," he said. "Let the scientists make the decision here -- not the fishermen and not the environmentalists."



E-mail to City Desk


Text Site Directory:
[News] [Business] [Features] [Sports] [Editorial] [Do It Electric!]
[Classified Ads] [Search] [Subscribe] [Info] [Letter to Editor]
[Feedback]



© 2000 Honolulu Star-Bulletin
https://archives.starbulletin.com