The members of the Maui Nui Marine Resource Council respectfully request that Gov. Neil Abercrombie establish bag limits for key species of reef fish as expeditiously as possible.
Our council consists of 28 members and numerous advisers who represent a broad spectrum of the community, including commercial, recreational and subsistence fishers; ocean tourism businesses; and scientists, educators and cultural practitioners. Our goals for Maui County are to have an abundance of reef fishes and clean water.
Fishers from both the council and community have repeatedly asked for our support of bag limits as one tool to address the disappearance of keystone species like uhu.
For five years, we have supported the Division of Aquatic Resources' recommendations, testified to the Legislature and requested change; yet nothing has been done. Reef fish populations continue to decline.
We ask the governor to personally ensure that bag limits are established soon. We also ask that he enact a recreational fishing license and increase the number of Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officers to help our reefs recover.
Robin Newbold
Chair
Maui Nui Marine Resource Council
Kihei
