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Mahalo to Rob Parsons (our amazing Food and Water Watch Hawaiʻi Outreach Coordinator and our friend and fellow member of the Pono Aquaculture Alliance) for this April round-up on efforts towards sustainable, pono aquaculture in Hawai’i:

The month of April has been full-tilt on the forefront of aquaculture issues in Hawaii, and beyond. We announced the formation of the Pono Aquaculture Alliance, broadened the scope of our outreach, and got a good deal of press coverage (see links below).

We gave presentations at UH-Maui College, UH-Manoa, Kawaihae, and in mauka Kona, taped an AKAKU public access TV show with Elle Cochran on Maui, did a two-hour radio show with Brickwood Galuteria, held a press conference at the capital, talked with legislators, and met candidates Neil Abercrombie and Gary Hooser at a Dem party function. We also met with Walter Ritte and Noelani Lee Yamashita on Molokai, and see their fishpond restoration efforts, and met with Ed Cichon of Maui Fresh Fish, LLC, who hopes to raise opakapaka in cages off Lanai. Yesterday was the NOAA regional “listening session” to accept input on NOAA’s efforts to draft a “sustainable ocean aquaculture” policy.

What a month! From us at KAHEA, mahalo pumehana to all those who are giving of their time, efforts, and mana’o on this issue–for their passionate care for our ocean, Hawaiian waters, Hawaiian fish, food sovereignty & security, and the aloha ‘āina that powers this movement.

TV and newspaper links:
Andrew Gomes/ Honolulu Advertiser on PAA press conference
http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/20100409/BUSINESS/4090332/Group+urges+fish-farming+safeguards

Coalition champions sustainable fish production in Hawaii
http://www.hawaii247.org/2010/04/09/coalition-champions-sustainable-fish-production-in-hawaii/

Coalition alleges fish farms hurt land
By Gene Park  HONOLULU STAR-BULLETIN
http://www.starbulletin.com/business/20100409_Coalition_alleges_fish_farms_hurt_land.html

Is There an Open Season on Open Ocean Aquaculture?
Reported by: Ron Mizutani/ KHON Channel 2
http://www.khon2.com/content/news/developingstories/story/Is-There-an-Open-Season-on-Open-Ocean-Aquaculture/asLsjbbXBUSQH84WJdKZEQ.cspx

Residents voice concerns over aquaculture project
by Chelsea Jensen/ West Hawaii Today
Saturday, April 10, 2010 7:17 AM HST
http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/articles/2010/04/10/local/local02.prt

Net pen in harbor draws investigation
by Carolyn Lucas/ West Hawaii Today
Wednesday, April 7, 2010 9:30 AM HST
http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/articles/2010/04/07/local/local04.txt

Community questions fish farms
By Hadley Catalano/ Big Island Weekly
Wednesday, April 14, 2010 9:59 AM HST
http://www.bigislandweekly.com/articles/2010/04/14/read/news/news08.txt

Fish farm frenzy
Watchdog group releases report criticizing open aquaculture in Hawai‘i
SEAMUS HOGG/HONOLULU WEEKLY
APR 14, 2010
http://honoluluweekly.com/feature/2010/04/fish-farm-frenzy/

Coalition knocks nascent Hawaii industry
By Denise Recalde
editorial@fis.com/ www.fis.com
http://fis.com/fis/worldnews/worldnews.asp?monthyear=&day=12&id=36169&l=e&special=&ndb=1%20target=

Report Blasts Hawaii Aquaculture
Environmental Group Claims Fish Farming Not Environmentally Sustainable
Dick Allgire KITV 4 News Reporter
POSTED: 2:48 pm HST April 8, 2010
http://www.kitv.com/news/23096058/detail.html

Mahalo to Rob Parsons, long-time Maui resident, journalist, and local environmental advocate for his detailed report-back on the Honolulu NOAA “listening session” yesterday. The post below is from his notes on the meeting:

Yesterday’s NOAA listening session was one of six being held nationwide to solicit input as NOAA strives to establish a policy for “sustainable ocean aquaculture.” About 80 people showed up at the second floor of the Ala Moana Hotel, a block from the Hawaii Convention Center and Ala Moana Shopping Center, for the 2 1/2 hour meeting.

It is clear that the word went out to those in the industry, and associated with UH, the Oceanic Institute, and the Hawaii Aquaculture Association. Fortunately, even given the fact that the meeting was in Honolulu only (no provisions for participation by those on neighbor islands) and in the middle of a workday, we had a decent showing from members of the Pono Aquaculture Alliance, and conservation groups.

The session was facilitated by Andy Winer, who headed the Hawaii Obama presidential campaign and is now a political appointee to NOAA. I spoke with him afterwards; he said this is very preliminary and very wide open, just asking input for now, He said when they come forward with a draft policy (he mentioned 4 months, but I think that is ambitious) he said things will be much more serious. He spoke of their goal: “To implement a new sustainable aquaculture policy.” “The policy components are that it be science-based, eco-system focused, promote innovation, and that there be a clear and efficient management system. The big question is, What will be NOAA’s role?”

He also mentioned the importance of production, restoration, and enhancement. Also jobs and socio-economic factors. He also said this should look at how it fits with other NOAA programs.

After his intro, Dr. Jo Ann Leong of Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology gave a pro-OOA Powerpoint.  Said there is no way historic fishponds can provide enough fish. Said Hawaii 20250 Sustainability Plan supports this, and that we should “create a sustainability ethic.” We’re way behind China and Norway in sales. ($34.7M in 2008….mostly in algae nutraceuticals, not finfish, I’d guess). Mentioned challenges.

NOTE: Keynote speaker Dr. Leong is on the board for Hawaii Oceanic Technology, a company currently proposing a massive ahi feedlot off the coast of the Big Island.  Is this a bit too cozy a relationship? Is this pono?

Overall, about 20 people spoke in favor of supporting open ocean aquaculture, and 10 of us expressed concerns and cautions:

Strongly Pro-OOA

1) Dave Takaki (?) “resurrecting fishponds is not economically feasible, and is virtually insurmountable”
2) Dr. Tetsuzan “Benny” Ron, UH Aquaculture Prog. Coord. – “building a sustainable future….all should support this”
3) Todd Low, Mgr. Aquaculture Dev’t Prog., Dept of Ag- “diversify economy, food self-sufficiency. HI sets the standards”
4) John Corbin, consultant (former director ADP) “Farming in the EEZs puts food on tables.” “We have BMPs.”
5) Todd Hendrix, retired science teacher- uses Cousteau 1973 quote (!). “HI oceans are nutrient poor and this helps.”
6) Ron Weidenbach, Pres. HI Aqua Assoc.- supports “truthful presentation based on science” wants increased R&D.
7) Tony Ostrowski, Pres. Oceanic Institute- said their mission is to secure a seafood source (for consumption) HOWEVER, their website give the following mission statement: The mission of the Ocean Institute is to inspire all generations, through education, to become responsible stewards of our oceans.
8. Steven Von Kampen Louis, young, student, in favor.
9) Brian Miyamoto, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation- “Huge opportunity. Should be able to develop safe practices.”
10) Dr. Steven Dollar, does water monitoring for Hukilau et al- “Problems don’t exist here.”
11) Michael Berman- “spend time listening to the people who are in the (aquaculture) field.”
12) Ronnie Nasuti (?), exec chef, Roy’s- “Can’t talk about science or politics—I cook. People love eating the moi.”
13) Norman Nong (?), Cinnamon’s restaurant- “can’t afford local fish on our menu” “I’m for aquaculture, of course.”
14) Clyde Tamaru, UH-CTAHR (former UH-Sea Grant)- Used the sea horse farm at NELHA as an example. (!)
15) Kimokeo Kapahulehua, pres. Fishpond assoc on Maui- “Keep the culture intact.” Then in his last 30 seconds he
said we should support Maui Fresh Fish LLC’s plan to raise opakapaka off Lanai. (he is their hired consultant).
16) Sean Martin, WESPAC- Support HB 4363, etc. Magnuson-Stevens act defines OOA as a “fishery.”
17) Bill Spencer, CEO HOT and HVCA- (waited until last to speak) “I’m the only one in the US who has been given the
permit for a tuna farm. I’m proud to be for-profit and make money for my investors. We are environmentally
responsible and economically sustainable. Hawaii is the perfect model to follow for permitting. The permit process
has consumed more than one third of our investment capital to date.”

Support with Conditions:

18) Steve Chaiken, HAA, Molokai Sea Farms- Has 22 earthen ponds w/ fish, shrimp, seaweed. “Very expensive to simulate the ocean on land.” “Some say we shouldn’t use the Pacific Ocean to raise fish—I share some of those concerns.” NOAA needs to partner for BMPs. “Gov’t isn’t good at planning carrying capacity. Look at Waikiki.” “Don’t let an asset turn into a liability.” “What we’ve done well here is research. Esp. disease mgmt.”
19) Glen Martinez, Olomana Gardens (Waimanalo)- “should have a mtg on Big Island—they have 22 aquaponic farms.”
20) Randy Cates, Hukilau Foods- After 10 years, I’m tired. Likes “balance” in the ocean. Donates fish to groups.

Not for OOA without stringent guidelines

22) Marti Townsend, KAHEA- “Hawaii is not your laboratory, its resources are not expendable.” NOAA could support fishpond restoration. “Use traditional knowledge.” Challenges the idea of ‘farming the ocean’ (Cousteau). “Plantation ag over the past century has been very harmful. Need more outreach. Only a 2-hour mtg, and at Ala Moana Hotel? Should be on the Big Island. You are limiting who will attend by holding it here.”
23) Trisha Kehaulani Watson, PhD.- Two points: Culture and community are missing. Ocean is also a cultural resource. It is both our church and our classroom. Community—Conflict is brewing here. Let state and local gov’ts come up with local solutions that are site-appropriate.
24) Rob Parsons, PAA, FWW et al- mainly read PAA criteria and unity statement. Asked that NOAA take a step back and ask whether a OOA policy should be developed, not how.
25) Dr. Neil Frazer, UH-“Would be sorry to see Hawaii and the U.S. Repeat the mistakes of my native British Columbia.”Should learn from the mistakes made in (mis-)mgmt of capture fisheries. Listed criteria for pono aquaculture.
26) Keiko Bonk, Marine Cons. Biol. Institute and Save Our Seals- “Questions about the ability to be a clean industry. We’d like to see a plan before allowing ventures to start up first. Especially for large-scale ventures. Large ag has ruined our land. Start small—large doesn’t work. What does sustainable mean? Long-term good, and minimal consequences. Too many factors don’t make sense as an industry.”
27) Dave Raney, Chair Sierra Club Marine Action Team- “Using mostly herbivorous fish is important. SC supports OOA only if it is truly sustainable and ecologically sound. NOAA should develop policy with specific criteria. Serious reservations about industrial scale operations.”
28) Linda Paul, Hawaii Audubon Society- Set enforceable national standards. OOA shouldn’t be substitute for re-stocking overfished stocks. Forage fish stocks are already fully exploited. Shouldn’t be substituted with soy because of naturally occurring estrogen.
29) Zuri “Z” Aki, UH student, “Support aquaculture, but I don’t support the current model of caged fish. Look into
getting communities into the ahupua`a (land-to-sea) model, not the corporate model.”

*KAHEA also submitted comments on behalf of Uncle Pilipo Souza and Uncle Isaac Harp.

Written comments may be submitted up until May 14th. Comments may be submitted through this link: http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/aquaculture/policy1/comments.htm

From Miwa:

I tend not to get too worked up about what people say in the papers, but this I just had to share… Below is a copy of Jay Fidell’s column in the Honolulu Advertiser (published Sunday).

In it, he articulates his opposition to the newly formed Pono Aquaculture Alliance.*

My personal favorite quote from Mr. Fidell:  ”For their own agenda, the activists are ignoring state policy and creating an imbalance that is not fair or pono. The sooner our officials realize this, the sooner the imbalance can be corrected and we can catch up. Short of that, we’re headed for backwater, where we really will need those ancient fishponds.”

Backwater = Fishponds? It’s news to us.

The “state policy” I *think* he is referring to, is the Ocean Resources Management Plan–which sets forth a goal of ten new aquaculture operations in Hawai’i…  after a public planning process to determine ocean areas where aquaculture is appropriate. No such planning process has ever occurred.

Some other things to consider:
- The Hawaii Ocean Technology (HOTI) new ahi feedlot proposed for Hawai’i Island will import 100% of its fish feed and export 90% of its fish to Japan and the U.S. continent. This is contributing to food security… how?
- The report Jay attacks in his piece is accompanied by 180 citations and footnotes, and is the result of over a year of investigative research work.
- Feeding wild fish to farmed fish (since high-value fish like tuna are carnivorous) is actually contributing to the decline of fish stocks like herring, mackerel, and sardine around the world. (It takes about 3 lbs of wild fish to produce 1lb of farmed seafood). How you do aquaculture, and at what scale, matters. A lot.

If you’re moved to write in response to Jay, you can submit your letter to the editor here: http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/current/op/submitletter

NOAA is holding its Honolulu “listening session” tomorrow–one of six such meetings on its proposed policy on open ocean aquaculture. Proposals to open waters  currently under U.S. federal jurisdiction (outside 3 miles) to aquaculture operations in the next few years are currently on the table. (2:30 – 4:30PM, Ala Moana Hotel) And likely why Jay is ranting about us this week!

*The Pono Aquaculture Alliance (PAʻA) is a group of cultural practioners, fishers, scientists, environmental advocates, and “aquaculturists” advocating basic principles of “pono aquaculture”–which include no use of hormones or pharma-chemicals, no GMO feed, and ensuring public access to ocean areas–and promoting aquaculture (like fish ponds, aquaponic systems and other forms of aquaculture) that promote ecosystem health, feed communities, and promote food sovereignty/security. Uncle Isaac Harp is leading this effort for KAHEA, and we deeply appreciate his work as well as the work of so many other dedicated individuals and organizations on this issue.

From Jay Fidell:

Aquaculture’s the new target of Isle activists

Some say aquaculture is Hawai’i's next great sector, growing fish to provide us with food security, jobs and tax revenues for the state. The market is assured because the oceans can’t meet world demand. Others say aquaculture will be the next whipping boy for the activists who are determined to bring it down.

Why would activists target such a promising new industry, especially where Hawai’i has lost self-sufficiency and imports 90 percent of its seafood? Maybe it’s because the activists, like everyone else, are suffering in the recession, and desperate times call for desperate causes.

Activism is an industry dedicated not to building things, but stopping them. As others, activists have to pay for office space, staff, lawyers and PR. To pay their bills, they have to identify with causes. Old causes are old hat — they need fresh controversies to raise fresh money. No cause, no protest, no money.

TARGET OF CONVENIENCE

Aquaculture seems like a good target. Startups have to run the gauntlet and bear lengthy delays in dealing with government. Activists know that this burns capital and decimates cash. They know how hard it is for startups to raise capital in Hawai’i. In desperate times, aquaculture is all the more vulnerable.

The activists don’t know much about aquaculture, so they’ve connected with Food and Water Watch, a nonprofit in Washington and San Francisco. It’s a multi-million dollar organization with 65 employees. It’s big business.

FWW attacks Starbucks and water bottlers because they use water, a public resource, to make a profit. They also oppose aquaculture nationally. Hawai’i is a perfect laboratory for aquaculture and thus for FWW. If aquaculture can be stopped here, it can be stopped across the country, mission accomplished.

PITCHED BATTLE OF WEBSITES

The result is lots of protest — blogs, websites, brochures, bulk mail, fuming letters to the editor, “embargoed” reports, and over-the-top press releases. It’s a full-tilt campaign to scare the public with stories of evil corporations spilling tons of GMOs, pernicious antibiotics and toxic chemicals into the ocean.

Those stories, like Avatar, are untrue.

Then add regular appearances at government meetings and moratorium bills by suggestible legislators. The activists want their new aquaculture cause to resonate with earlier ones against GMOs and Superferry, telescopes and geothermal. For 2010, aquaculture is the cause of the day.

The activists attacking aquaculture are professionals who have been involved in every cause you can think of, from Kingdom Title forward. With help from FWW, their new alliance is Pono Aquaculture, but the players are the same few people and organizations that have been protesting causes in Hawai’i for years.

MISSTATEMENTS GALORE

From a factual point of view, the FWW attack on aquaculture is unbridled. In many ways, its hostility surpasses that of the Superferry opponents. Perhaps that’s because there is less to support it. Instead of a reasoned conversation, we get exaggerations, misstatements, mischaracterizations, and lots of name calling.

After working to slow down and undermine the aquaculture sector on every level, they claim “factory fish farming” is unprofitable and failing. There it is — first you create misfortune for your adversary, and then you criticize him for it.

Beyond that, they tap into our local culture to sell their cause to people who are disaffected, fabricating an array of arguments for the proposition that aquaculture, which has long been designated as a top priority in our state policy, now somehow violates exclusive native Hawaiian fishing rights.

MEDIA VULNERABILITY

We can’t run a state if we take our signals from those who are opposed to virtually everything. We need to know science and do critical thinking. We need someone to regularly investigate the facts and inform an unwary public.

Unfortunately, the media does not always do this. That’s not fair to the readers. Activist organizations try to foment public opposition using the media. If the media takes everything they say at face value without further inquiry, you can be sure the public will be misinformed. If the media doesn’t do critical thinking to identify misinformation, who will?

HAWAI’I, THE CONSUMER STATE

By not developing aquaculture, we have no food security and we’re spending almost as much buying foreign fish as buying foreign oil. As an island state, we should have the best ferry system in the world. We should also have the best aquaculture in the world. We don’t. There’s no good reason for that.

For their own agenda, the activists are ignoring state policy and creating an imbalance that is not fair or pono. The sooner our officials realize this, the sooner the imbalance can be corrected and we can catch up. Short of that, we’re headed for backwater, where we really will need those ancient fishponds.

In Hawai’i, it’s been politically incorrect to argue with activists. If the majority cares about our future, they’ll have to speak out. Democracy is more than anti-policy imposed by a militant few. A passive majority is the ultimate complicity.

Will aquaculture be the next Superferry? You decide.

Jay Fidell is a business lawyer practicing in Honolulu. He has followed tech and tech policy closely and is a founder of ThinkTech Hawaii.

From Shelley:

Aloha mai kakou,

Pa’a in Hawaiian means many things, such as to be firm or fastened–like an ‘opihi to a rock, to be vigorous, steadfast, engaged. Last week we held a press conference unveiling the Pono Aquaculture Alliance (PAA) which is made up of groups and individuals who are calling for a critical look at open ocean factory fish farms  in Hawaii–a business that is slated to expand more than 900% in the next 5 years.

Why are we concerned? Ocean aquaculture comes in many types, from traditional loko i’a (fishponds) to industrial-scale factory fish feed lots. In Hawai’i, we need to make some important choices today about the kind of future we want for aquaculture in these islands. We at KAHEA believe that aquaculture must be pursued in a way that does not harm our oceans and lands, does not allow genetically modified fish or feed, does not dump pharmaceuticals in our waters, does not block public access, and does not privitize public trust submerged lands. If cannot? Well, pohō.

There was good press coverage, check out the story that ran in the Honolulu Advertiser.  http://www.honoluluadvertiser.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=20104090332 We want to thank Uncle Kale Gumapac of Kanaka Council, Rob and Christina from FWW, Aunty Kat from Ka Lei Maile Alii Civic Club, Henry Curtis of Life of the Land and Dr. Neil Frazer from the School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology at UH Manoa who all contributed to this event. And a special mahalo to Uncle Isaac Harp for his work on this event, his manaʻo, and his solidarity.

What I believe:  Today, Hawaiʻi is being used as a test lab that proponents call “pioneering” but I would call “reckless”.  Supporters of industrial fish farms are selling their industrial model as “modern day Hawaiian fishponds”–a claim that is not only misleading, but demonstrates a lack of understanding of traditional resource management.  One of the benefits that  proponents cite is that their model will help lessen over-fishing.  This isn’t true if you’re raising carnivorous fish (like the kahala–”kona kampachi”–grown at Kona Blue, or like the ‘ahi operation venture capitalists at Hawaii Ocean Technologies–HOTI–are trying to start up) that require wild fish being caught elsewhere and imported–creating a hole in the wild food chain.

Later in the evening, after the press conference, we held a community meeting at UH Manoa Hawaiian Studies building.  We want to thank all the concerned citizens who showed up to learn and contribute their mana’o on this topic.  You guys can check out PAA’s unity statement and get more information about OOA at ponoaqua.org.

We must remember that the stakes are different, dare I say higher, for community members.  Worst case scenario for big business is they lose money, and have to pack up and go home.  Worst case scenario for the community is the end of free access to our oceans, which means losing the ability to feed ourselves and our children and their children.

From Alana:

Too often loko i’a are talked about as things of the past, and somewhat obsolete. They are spoken of like memorials of a time past, a time when Hawaiians could essentially farm huge amounts of fish without even needing to feed them. But those days are over, right? No, they don’t have to be. 

On Saturday at He’eia fishpond in Kaneohe, a bunch of people got together to help fish some of the predators, like baracuda, out of the fishpond. He’eia is an estimated 800 years old. It is owned by Bishop Estate, and is cared for by  Paepae o He’eia, a private non-profit organization. It has taken them years to clear destructive mangrove trees off of about half the fishpond wall, and they are still working on fixing a hole in the wall, but they still manage to produce and sell moi. He’eia produces anywhere between 300 and 700 pounds of moi each year and that number is expected to increase when the wall is fixed and the fishpond is completely restored. About 100 years ago there were many more fishponds all around the island, but most of them have either been filled in completely with mangroves, or are in ruin. 

He’eia, though, is a beautiful example of how community effort can lead to something meaningful and productive. Although many fishponds are privately owned now, they could still serve as productive entities of society. He’eia and Moli’i on O’ahu both manage to. Hawaiian fishponds utilized a system that was not found anywhere else on the planet. It was probably the most efficient and sustainable way of raising herbivore fish ever. Fishponds are not the remnants of an ancient culture. Hawaiians are still here, and Hawaii can still benefit from fishponds.

From Alana:

As a result of many letters being sent to state representatives, Rep. Mazie Hirono has decided to co-sponsor the “Offshore Aquaculture is not Fishing Act of 2009″. The bill asserts that under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, the Secretary of Commerce, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and regional fishery management councils do not have the authority to permit or regulate the commercial ocean fish farming industry, because it is not fishing. 

The federal law that gives the Gulf Council and NOAA authority to regulate fish and fishing region-by-region was not intended to govern risky industrial enterprises like ocean fish farms.

This is a step in the right direction for the regulation of offshore aquaculture, which might soon happen in the Gulf of Mexico, and expand in places like Hawaii.

From Alana:

From “Hawai’i has a lot to gain from open ocean aquaculture” in today’s Honolulu Advertiser:

Just as we need to be off imported oil, we need to be off imported seafood. This opportunity can be an economic engine for Hawai’i, and hundreds of millions of dollars are at stake.Let’s not stand in our own way. There’s  a lot to gain for everyone.

Absolutely.

The amount of seafood that we import is really astounding. It is upsetting, though, that in the wake of a very large aquaculture operation, which would export up to 90% of its ahi products, statements like the above, are used to defend it.

The article, by Jay Fidell of ThinkTech Hawaii, goes on to say that:

There are anti-aquaculture groups who don’t want “greedy” corportations to make a profit and export aquaculture products to outside markets. Those groups don’t acknowledge andvancements in the technology, and regularly diseminate disinformation about the industry. They’ve been pulling out all the stops, apparently bent on wiping out open ocean aquaculture in Hawai’i. Theyre’re completely wrong. Without open ocean aquaculture, Hawai’i would have to depend on foreign unregulated producers and overfished wild stocks. Those options are not nearly as secure or sustainable as the development of homegrown open ocean aquaculture.

I do not think of myself as entirely “anti-aquaculture”, I just think it should be done right. My cause is not to “diseminate disinformation”, it is to let people know that there are serious implications that multiple aquaculture ventures could have on Hawaii’s marine ecosystems. It is also to open peoples eyes to aquaculture in other parts of the world, and to how it has affected those places. This article makes it seem like there is some hidden agenda beneath fighting these giant open ocean aquaculture projects. But really, I have nothing to gain from this. I have neither read nor heard anything pro-open ocean aquaculture, aside from the people who would benefit direcly from it.