Ocean needs the help of all

Saving marine life in Maui's nearshore waters is a difficult task involving politics, shoreline development, public awareness, education, lifestyle considerations and government action.

For decades, marine scientists have warned that Maui's reefs are threatened with becoming wastelands. Local observers know there has been a dramatic decline in reef marine life that is the bottom link in a food chain extending all the way to deep-water fish.

State administrators and legislators have been loath to push for conservation measures such as bag limits and establishing marine reserves. Basically, the politicians are afraid of upsetting residents who consider it a right to take as many fish as possible from the sea and interfering with developers more interested in preparing land than protecting reefs from runoff.

Public awareness has been growing. More efforts are being made to educate residents and, more importantly, visitors about the fragility of coral. Don't touch is the most critical lesson to teach. There is a reluctant admission by local fishermen and divers that the stock of fish is declining, although there are still those who unreasonably demand "scientific data" before accepting the need for protective regulations. Common sense doesn't need science.

One tiny step at a time, the state and county are recognizing the effect of shoreline development and freshwater diversion on the health of reefs. There's more to do.

On Saturday, the "More Fish in the Sea" event was held at Maui Community College. The theme of the day was E Ola Ke Kai, E Ola Kakou - as the ocean thrives, so do we. The Hawaiian tie-in was more than appropriate. Pre-contact Hawaiians developed a system of marine conservation that involved a series of rules enforced by experts in each area of shoreline.

Hawaiians could take the lead by lending historical and cultural weight to protecting the ocean and its resources. Their informal enforcement of best practices would be more effective than any legal regulation. Making sure there will be abundant marine life seven generations from now is the responsibility of all who love the sea.

* Editorials reflect the opinion of the publisher.