Snorkel Bob up to no good once again......

[pac_island_aquatics]

The ban of trop fish is just the stepping stone to banning ALL fishing. Long liners, commercial Ahi/tuna, spear... everything. This was already thrown out 3 times now, and now they are trying to be sneaky by putting it in with another bill hoping it will be over looked... Very dishonest, but this is how a lot of Bills are passed without people knowing about it.

We found out and there was 20 people in the aquarium industry there to testify against it.

To date, there is no scientific proof to back up any claims (for or against) sustainability. But if you look at the numbers for fish year after year, they are not depleting... This year was one of the biggest yellow tang drops in 30 years... so much that collectors aren't catching all they can because there is not enough demand... If we are "taking everything off the reefs" then why are there so many fish?

IMPO, if you want to "save the reefs" (which he actually doesn't care about, he is just doing it for publicity and to be able to get more people to buy is crappy stuff), then ban EVERYTHING.

Ban, all fishing, ban all dive charters, ban scuba diving, ban snorkeling, ban golf courses, ban hotels, ban suntan lotion, ban everything.. there are a million different aspects that effect reef life. dont single one out, do it all if you are genuinely concerned about it.

 

[kingfisherfleshy]

Thats not what Im suggesting, because there IS such a thing as sustainability.

I guess that I am approaching this with the viewpoint of Hawaii's whole fishing society as opposed to...collection of tropicals.

I know that it isnt as simple as that, I guess I am just saying I would like there to be some additional regulation.

People shoot big fish like there is no tomorrow out there.

 

[pac_island_aquatics]

Very true. I believe it is sustainable and has been for the past 40 years... But there main argument is the reefs... have you seen Hanauma Bay? Closed from trop fishing and its the worst looking reef on the island.. hundreds of thousands of people a year walking all over it have killed it to skeletons.

Their cause is good, but their aim is way off...

 

[kingfisherfleshy]

+1 to the above.

That being said, Hanauma has some huge fish in it.

I saw some pretty massive coral heads, but not many of the tourists really can get out into the middle by themselves unguided.

 

[Alabama Reefer]

I believe that there should be strong regulations on fish and coral. I have done a lot of scuba diving and snorkeling in the Bahamas and it is one of the most amazing experiences I have ever done. The coral reefs and the fish on them have been around forever and I believe that we should try to keep it that way. If you think of all the little kids that talk their parents into getting them a saltwater tank after finding nemo then It wouldn't be hard to beleive that it's making a impact on the reefs because I bet that snorkeling bob is right that most of those do die in a years time. Also I have one question for the people saying that the bob guy is only looking out for his best interest. Yeah he has a snorkeling business but he is giving a guided tour of natures beauty at it's finest and wants to make sure it's there for generations to see but y'all are just wanting to pull this out of there home and put them in your aquarium where only YOU can enjoy them. So if you ask me if one guy is wanting something that he can show to thousands of people and another guy that don't care to show it to anyone but himself who is looking out for THEIR best interest. I don't have a problem as much if there is abundance of something but when the number began to start decreasing and people are still trying to get them is starts to **** me off. Just my opinion though and everyone has one.

 

[kingfisherfleshy]

Im not there personally right now, so I cant say what the politics are behind it.

Hawaii has reefs of international caliber.

They blow the gulf out of the water. I remember diving off of Waikiki for the first time, and just being stunned. People that grew up there are probably ruined diving wise for the rest of their lives...

 

[bayareaquarist]

Instead we are getting statements from Bob like "All fish die within the first year in an aquarium." Now when he spews that information over public radio or his letters posted on the sea shepard website, most are going to take his words for fact.

Unfortunately..he's pretty close to the truth there...Im for regulation and OVERSIGHT! -there is none of that in this industry

 

[secretreefer]

Im not there personally right now, so I cant say what the politics are behind it.


People that grew up there are probably ruined diving wise for the rest of their lives...

I was born and raised here, but keep GENERAL comments like this to yourself bud. If you didn't read well...MYSELF AND MY FRIENDS WHO FREE DIVE ALWAYS CUT FISHING LINES OFF THE REEFS, GATHER FISHING LEAD, TAKE RUBBISH OFF THE REEFS. WE MALAMA the ocean, respect it and practice good conservation skills. I'll give you an example: Hawaii octopus legal limit size to take home is 1lb, we practice taking home only octopus that are at least 2lbs.....Yes there's idiots who practice "if i don't take it someone else will come and take it so i might as well take it" IDIOT WAYS.....BUT NOT ALL OF US. Also since you're NOT here you haven't realized the population explosion with MICRONESIANS who have moved to hawaii thanks to our U.S. Government who are paying for their rent, insurance, etc..etc..etc....almost all of them don't believe in conservation since in micronesia there's an abundance of fish, octopus, etc...etc.... so they come here and take EVERYTHING. I've seen it with my own eyes and confronted a few of them personally but it's too late by then, the fish etc..etc.. whatever they caught is already dead.

Also btw if you've lived here you would know that Waiks isn't even good for snorkeling/fish watching. thats the last place we would go snorkeling. check out north shore, or east side. then you'll have a different view of hawaii.

 

[kingfisherfleshy]

I never said that Waiks is the best....I just said for someone from virtually ANYWHERE else in the world, it is stunning.

I have dove in the gulf for several different years, and there is nothing like hawaii anywhere else in the USA at the very least.

What you do, and what the vast majority of people out there do are different. I am facebook friends with some of your best spearos. National Champions some of them, and killing fish like that...is not sustainable.

Im not trying to call you out, Im just trying to say, that in my short time there, I was shocked about the way I saw people use the ocean. Maybe that is because you "grew here, I flew here." so you think you have the right to take like that because if everyone else that lives on the islands didnt, you would be okay. And I can appreciate that.

There are just a lot of people out there that act like there will never be an end to the fish. That is all that I am trying to say.

Like I have said before, I dont know the people, I dont know the politics involved. That makes me an outsider. It just seemed to me that more regulation at least fishing wise could be used.

 

[Jcr's Reef]

One of my dreams is to be able to save enough $ to go diving in Hawaii, as well as Australia. I do agree fish collecting should be "only closely monitored" and divers need to be fined heavily if they don't abide by it, but there are far greater problems happening in our oceans other than fish collecting that needs to be addressed first. Collecting coral is another story (an probably another can of worms). But again, there are way bigger problems that need to be solved first. One oil spill can wipe out an entire reef, and they are far from being regulated. One diver can't.

 

[secretreefer]

I never said that Waiks is the best....I just said for someone from virtually ANYWHERE else in the world, it is stunning. --- -sorry mistook this as you were being stunned by the barren ugly area.:wink:

I have dove in the gulf for several different years, and there is nothing like hawaii anywhere else in the USA at the very least. --- -There is nowhere like hawaii :wink:

What you do, and what the vast majority of people out there do are different. I am facebook friends with some of your best spearos. National Champions some of them, and killing fish like that...is not sustainable. -- Yes i've seen ALOT of nationally "ranked" freedivers who take way more than what they need. :doubt:

Im not trying to call you out, Im just trying to say, that in my short time there, I was shocked about the way I saw people use the ocean. Maybe that is because you "grew here, I flew here." so you think you have the right to take like that because if everyone else that lives on the islands didnt, you would be okay. And I can appreciate that. --- i'm glad you're not calling me and my small band of merry men out who believe in conservation and taking care of our reefs. I believe we native hawaiians do have rights, isn't it Hawaii? Aren't we Hawaii-ans? BUT as long as those rights don't entitle to "****" the reefs. There's always a bad apple (s) in EVERY group. :what:

There are just a lot of people out there that act like there will never be an end to the fish. That is all that I am trying to say.---- I agree, but my merry band of men and I aren't "those people". i've seen thriving reefs with schools of Kole tang in the hundreds, now i rarely see 20 swimming together.:cry_002:

Like I have said before, I dont know the people, I dont know the politics involved. That makes me an outsider. It just seemed to me that more regulation at least fishing wise could be used.----yes, the situation here in hawaii is probably different since you lived here. Pollution is a big problem, runoff, people dumping waste, and the population of micronesians who has moved here by the thousands have made an HUGE impact on our reefs. why the government hasn't put more enforcement and effort to control poaching, illegal taking of fish/lobster just BEFUDDLES me.

 

[kingfisherfleshy]

yes, the situation here in hawaii is probably different since you lived here. Pollution is a big problem, runoff, people dumping waste, and the population of micronesians who has moved here by the thousands have made an HUGE impact on our reefs. why the government hasn't put more enforcement and effort to control poaching, illegal taking of fish/lobster just BEFUDDLES me.

Glad we are on the same page now.

Hawaii is wonderful, I have dreamed of living there, and I still do. Planning to do graduate school at Hilo...or at least trying.

Oahu helped me spend some time down there when I was considering your guys football program.

Made some friends, did some diving.

When I get back down you can show me all your ono honey holes.

Big fish, and clear waters to you mate.

 

[secretreefer]

Glad we are on the same page now.

Hawaii is wonderful, I have dreamed of living there, and I still do. Planning to do graduate school at Hilo...or at least trying.

Oahu helped me spend some time down there when I was considering your guys football program.

Made some friends, did some diving.

When I get back down you can show me all your ono honey holes.

Big fish, and clear waters to you mate.

same to you bro. hahah tons of honey holes here......even on land.......:crossedlips: