Posts filed under ‘Reefs’
Value of Hawai’ian Reefs estimated at $33.57 billion
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is completing a study that sets the value of the Hawai’ian coral reefs at $33.57 billion. This assesment, the first of its kind, will be useful in setting policy to protect the reefs.
Reef protection Bill in Hawai’i Senate
SB580, the state measure regulating the aquarium trade to protecting all of Hawaii’s reef wildlife has been scheduled for a Tuesday hearing in the Senate Judiciary Committee chaired by Sen. Clayton Hee.
Here is how you can submit testimony online:
1) Enter SB580; click “Get latest hearing”
2) Verify the information:
Committee: JDL
Room: 016
Hearing Date: 3/1/2011 9:00 AM
3) Fill in your basic info (address not required)
4) Testifier position: Chose whether you want to Support or Oppose the bill for stronger regulations.
5) Write your testimony in the comment field or upload your testimony, if longer.
6) Check the box, ” I understand and agree to the terms above “.
7) Click “Submit”.
Maui Council Challenges Reef Fish Exporters
Maui County Council again challenged the largest wildlife exporter in Hawaii Friday, with a new law requiring humane treatment of reef fish captured for the aquarium trade. Finning, fizzing and starvation of colorful fish prior to shipment are now illegal, as the campaign to ban aquarium collecting from its most lucrative source, Hawaii, gains momentum.
The new humane treatment law responds to unlimited trafficking in wildlife for the pet trade that has gone unchecked for many years in Hawaii. The reported catch revenue of about $2 million is believed to be far less than actual revenue on unreported/poached catch. Actual aquarium revenue may be $20 million, but that figure pales beside the $800 million annual in reef-based tourism. Hawaii reefs and reef fish populations are in decline. The aquarium trade denies culpability and demands more, with no limit on the catch, no limit on the number of catchers and no constraints on endemic or vanishing species.
Reef Sustainability Events for June 2010
The Reef Sustainability Committee invites everyone to participate in any or all of the upcoming projects.
The Turbidity Task Force project is ready to start training water quality monitoring volunteers. We have 1,000 testing kits now created. For those interested in learning more about the program as well as how to enter data online we are meeting at the Whale Sanctuary in Kihei Thursday June 3rd 6:00-8:00 P.M.
The Maui Nui Marine Resources Council meeting on June 9th 5:00 -7:00 P.M. focuses on clean water issues. Jonathan Starr and Robin Knox are giving presentations.
South Maui Sustainability is part of the South West Maui Watershed Project Advisory Group. The public has an opportunity to affect the choices we make for water usage in the future, and is encouraged to participate. The next meeting is June 10th 3:00-5:00 P.M. at the Whale Sanctuary.
Our next Beach Clean-up at Kealia National Refuge is June 26th 8:00-10:00 A.M. Contact Teri at teri at southmauisustainability dot org for cleanup details.
On July 15th at 9:00 A.M. Maui Dreams and the Reef Committee is sponsoring another Fish ID class at Maui Dreams in Kihei followed by a fish survey snorkel at Ulua Beach. Space is limited so please RSVP at teri at southmauisustainability dot org.
Fish Identification Program
Wednesday, March 24
1:00 PM
Maui Dreams Dive Co., 1993 S. Kihei Rd
The Reef Committee has partnered with Maui Dreams Dive Co. and Project Sea-Link to present a free novice fish identification program. The class will be followed by a snorkel fish survey at Ulua Beach, conditions permitting. Space is limited so please contact teri@southmauisustainability.org to confirm.
Quarterly Beach Cleanup
Saturday, March 13
8:00–10:00 AM
Kealia National Wildlife Refuge
We will meet at the new public parking lot, but please try to park your vehicle on the dirt area and leave the parking lot for the general public. Check-in with our cleanup coordinator, Katherine. We have a limited number of pickee-up-thingees for those who need to save their backs, so get there early!
South Maui Water Quality – What You Can do
Robin Knox is an environmental scientist with more than 25 years experience in Clean Water regulation and pollution control. She specializes in developing water quality-based pollution controls that protect aquatic resources from man-made sources of pollution.
Maalaea Bay’s once-vibrant reefs suffer decline at an alarming rate
The best place to see vibrant coral reefs in Maalaea may be at the Maui Ocean Center. The popular aquarium displays an abundant range of marine life that no longer exists in the adjacent bay, which has experienced a total collapse of its underwater ecosystem in recent years, due largely to human impacts.
Next Meeting—SOUTH MAUI WATER QUALITY: What You Can Do
Thursday, September 10th
6:00 p.m. Potluck Pupus and talkstory
6:30 p.m.–8:00 p.m. Presentations
Kihei Charter School
South Maui Sustainability is sponsoring the second in a series of community meetings which address South Maui water issues. Previously we examined water quantity. This presentation will introduce water quality concerns and how the South Maui community can have a hand in designing and creating the South Maui Watershed.
Speakers include:
Robin Knox is an environmental scientist with more than 25 years experience in Clean Water regulation and pollution control. She specializes in developing water quality-based pollution controls that protect aquatic resources from man-made sources of pollution.
*Kihei Charter School location:
300 Ohukai Rd # 213
Directions: Coming from south Kihei, take the Pi’ilani Hwy toward the Mokulele. Turn right (mauka) onto Ohukai Road. Take your second right. Go straight to the very end and turn left around the building. Turn left into the next bay. KCS is located on the right. Coming from north of Kihei, turn left (mauka) onto Ohukai Road and follow the directions as above from Ohukai Road. Look for the blue and yellow signs.
Click map to enlarge.
Photo by Peter Liu Photography, peterliuphoto.com.
International Costal Clean-up Day
Saturday, September 19th
9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
The SMS Reef Sustainability Committee is joining forces with Community Workday, Maui Reef Fund, Hawaii Wildlife Fund, Surfrider, and Stableroad.com. to collect litter and debris from roadsides and shorelines in an island-wide clean-up. Besides being an eyesore, litter ends up in the ocean and is detrimental to our reefs in many ways.
For volunteer information, email us at CoastalCleanup@SouthMauiSustainability.org
South Maui Sustainability 