This letter is in support of bag limits on reef fishing. It has been said that Hawaii does not need to do things the way they do on the Mainland. This is true, but only if the island resources are being protected. They are not being protected.
Hawaii scientists make it clear that overfishing is a big problem for the health of the reefs. Anyone connected with Hawaii's water knows. There are fewer fish to catch or otherwise enjoy, and there are fewer fish left to reproduce.
The recently popularized photograph of dozens of dead fish is an illustration of Hawaii's poor resource management. It is not possible to continue to have few or no restrictions on fishing.
Visitor awareness of lack of fish hurts visitor numbers, particularly on the Neighbor Islands where the percentage of visitors utilizing the ocean is high.
Substantive bag limits on reef fish and other protections are overdue. Please call the governor at (808) 586-0034 and demand bag limits.
Richard Fairclo
Klamath Falls, Ore./Haiku
