Eagle Ray
Aloha -
Today I want to share the thoughts of a friend of mine, Doug Perrine, who went and photographed a eagle ray that was found dead in the Honokohau harbor on Saturday. The pictures are graphic. This small eagle ray was found floating wrapped around a mooring line with the line attached to the spear embedded in it's body in the Honokohau harbor early Saturday morning after he had been speared and died.
Attached is a photo of a spotted eagle ray found floating in Honokohau Harbor, Kona, on March 29, 2008, with a spear shaft penetrating its body. The ray had clearly been decomposing for a day or two, and was probably speared just outside of the harbor, in an area heavily used by recreational divers and snorkelers, and swam or drifted into the harbor with the incoming tide.
Rays are not traditionally used as food in Hawaii, yet recognizing the potential that immigrants or others with different attitudes could do harm to our beloved rays, the Manta Pacific Research Foundation and other concerned ocean lovers have for the last several years lobbied for legislative or administrative protection for our manta rays and eagle rays. These animals are not only lovely, intelligent, fascinating, and benign, but also bring millions of dollars annually into our community as one of the main attractions in the ocean recreation industry. In fact the "manta night dive" is Kona's signature dive attraction. From a wildlife management point of view, marine rays are slow-growing, long-lived animals with an extremely low rate of reproduction. Their populations simply cannot sustain any significant artificial mortality. Furthermore, as Saipan's recent experience has shown, it is not at all necessary to destroy the entire population to eliminate the tourism potential of a group of rays.
Today I want to share the thoughts of a friend of mine, Doug Perrine, who went and photographed a eagle ray that was found dead in the Honokohau harbor on Saturday. The pictures are graphic. This small eagle ray was found floating wrapped around a mooring line with the line attached to the spear embedded in it's body in the Honokohau harbor early Saturday morning after he had been speared and died.
Attached is a photo of a spotted eagle ray found floating in Honokohau Harbor, Kona, on March 29, 2008, with a spear shaft penetrating its body. The ray had clearly been decomposing for a day or two, and was probably speared just outside of the harbor, in an area heavily used by recreational divers and snorkelers, and swam or drifted into the harbor with the incoming tide.
Rays are not traditionally used as food in Hawaii, yet recognizing the potential that immigrants or others with different attitudes could do harm to our beloved rays, the Manta Pacific Research Foundation and other concerned ocean lovers have for the last several years lobbied for legislative or administrative protection for our manta rays and eagle rays. These animals are not only lovely, intelligent, fascinating, and benign, but also bring millions of dollars annually into our community as one of the main attractions in the ocean recreation industry. In fact the "manta night dive" is Kona's signature dive attraction. From a wildlife management point of view, marine rays are slow-growing, long-lived animals with an extremely low rate of reproduction. Their populations simply cannot sustain any significant artificial mortality. Furthermore, as Saipan's recent experience has shown, it is not at all necessary to destroy the entire population to eliminate the tourism potential of a group of rays.
Saipan's
"Eagle Ray City", while not as well known to Americans, is much more
famous in Japan and other countries than Hawaii's manta dives. As the
only known location in the entire world where recreational divers could
regularly see a large school of spotted eagle rays, it attracted tens
of thousands of divers annually, injected millions of dollars into the
Northern Marianas economy. Dive organizations were unsuccessful in
getting protective legislation passed until 2007 when evidence appeared
that some of the rays had been speared. The legislation was passed and
signed by the governor within months, but it was too late. When the
time came for the seasonal gathering of the rays at Eagle Ray City,
only a few rays turned up. The majority had abandoned the site they may
have used for thousands of years rather than risk the fate of their
comrades. Only a small portion of the population had been speared, yet
that was all it took to make the rest afraid of humans. How important
that particular site was to their biology or what characteristics of
the area drew the rays to it will likely never be known. To read more
about Eagle Ray City see�http://www.finsonline.com/data/magazine/7_2/7_2DesSaipan.pdf
Foresighted
individuals saw that rays are killed for food, sport, or "medicine" in
many parts of the world and realized that individuals from those
countries could come here seeking to kill or buy body parts from our
cherished wildlife. In fact foreign buyers have already made inquiries
in Hawaii about buying manta ray parts. To prevent the problem before
it happened, legislation was introduced to protect our rays. It seemed
like a no-brainer. Since there was no fishery, there would be no
opposition. Who could object to protecting vulnerable wildlife that is
the basis of a multimillion dollar tourism industry and currently had
no other use? Why, the very people who are supposed to be protecting
our natural resources, of course! The DLNR opposed this legislation on
the basis that rays would be better protected by an administrative
rule. Years later, the administrative rule has gone nowhere. Committee
chairmen in the legislature would not even allow the bill to be heard.
They said since there wasn't a problem yet, they shouldn't do anything.
If you prefer seeing your eagle rays floating belly-up putrifying in
the harbor, as opposed to soaring gracefully over a reef, be sure to
thank your representatives in the state legislature and administrators
at the DLNR.
While
we are holding our breaths for the State to do something let's also
consider what could be done locally. The same law that mandated the
creation of FRA zones in West Hawaii where aquarium fish collecting is
banned also mandated that a certain portion of these areas be closed to
all fishing. This was supposed to have been done years ago. Yet the
West Hawaii Fisheries Council, fearing (justifiably) the political
opposition from the fishing community has not yet implemented this
requirement. Are there not certain areas where no-take zones could be
established without a major fight? Looking at Honokohau, you certainly
wouldn't want to shut out all the families that cast along the edge of
the turning basin, but from the harbor entrance out to the green can
buoy - is it really a good idea to have people fishing right in the
boat channel? It doesn't happen much (Darwin effect, maybe), but I have
seen kids swim right into the high-speed boat channel while
spearfishing with no dive flag.
At the same time, the area around the harbor entrance is probably the most heavily used area in West Hawaii for recreational scuba diving and snorkeling. Divers and snorkelers co-exist with the boat traffic by staying to the sides of the channel. Eagle rays use this area for feeding, socializing, resting, and parasite removal at cleaning stations, while manta rays also use the cleaning stations and sometimes conduct their courtship activities here. It is also heavily used by a vast array of other marine wildlife, including several endangered species. Sea turtles, spinner dolphins, monk seals, humpback whales, �whale sharks, and even a beaked whale have all been sighted in this small area. One of the two manta ray night dive spots is likewise situated next to the boat channel in Keauhou, while the other one (near the airport) is in an area infrequently used for fishing. Wouldn't these three spots be a good place to start with the no-take zones?
At the same time, the area around the harbor entrance is probably the most heavily used area in West Hawaii for recreational scuba diving and snorkeling. Divers and snorkelers co-exist with the boat traffic by staying to the sides of the channel. Eagle rays use this area for feeding, socializing, resting, and parasite removal at cleaning stations, while manta rays also use the cleaning stations and sometimes conduct their courtship activities here. It is also heavily used by a vast array of other marine wildlife, including several endangered species. Sea turtles, spinner dolphins, monk seals, humpback whales, �whale sharks, and even a beaked whale have all been sighted in this small area. One of the two manta ray night dive spots is likewise situated next to the boat channel in Keauhou, while the other one (near the airport) is in an area infrequently used for fishing. Wouldn't these three spots be a good place to start with the no-take zones?
Or
should we just continue as we have and pretend there is no problem
until some enterprising fisherman decides to net all the mantas at one
of the night dive spots and sell their gill rakers to China, wiping out
half the West Hawaii population in a single blow? Right now, it's
perfectly legal. Enjoy the picture below. I wish I could somehow attach
the smell to this message so everyone could have the full experience.
Feel free to forward this to anyone who might be concerned.
Doug Perrine
Aloha Mr. Flickinger,
I believe the public needs to be educated about the abuse of our ocean resources. Too many Hawaiians and Kamaaina talk big about protecting the 'aina, but are usually the biggest contributors to the depletion and misuse of our oceans. Some people feel it is "their right" to take or kill whatever is in the ocean, others just need to be better informed about how to protect our oceans for future generations.
The educational process can only be accomplished if we have businesses and individuals willing to promote public awareness about the abuses as well as the "good things" that are being done. I believe West Hawaii Today has a moral obligation to "run this story".
Maybe you should consider a weekly column about ocean protection and marine life interaction . I am sure with all the dive operators, Manta Pacific Org, Kona Underwater Photographers, Reefwatechers, and Division of Aquatic Resources, it would be easy to have a list of editorial contributors that would be willing to provide you articles that will help educate the public. West Hawaii Today should promote conservation and ocean awareness. Fishing, Surfing, and Kahaluu beach park should not be the publics only perception of what Kona's oceans are about!
Dennis McCrea
Underwater Adventures Hawaii
808-328-7388
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Dear Mr. Flickinger
My name is Jim Mendenhall and I am a coast guard licensed boat captain and scuba instructor working in the tourist industry on the Kona side of the island. I am contacting you regarding the shameful waste of the islands aquatic resources. You have no doubt seen the photo of the dead eagle ray with the protruding spear. As sad as this one incident is I believe it is symptomatic of an overall lack of management of Hawaii’s marine environment. When I first came to dive the Hawaiian Islands in the early 70s the Kona reefs were rich with fish and invertebrates but today the large schools of yellow tang are gone and lobsters are scarce. Many of the more exotic species are very rare or missing altogether having found their way to overseas aquarium shops through the years.
We depend on government agencies to look after our resources and manage the environment by drawing a balance between conservation and sustainable use. Unfortunately there has been little in the way of leadership and only some minor reactionary steps taken in regard to managing our aquatic resources. The same old story of the world’s fisheries too little, too late could play out here in Hawaii as well. One global pattern that could affect us is the shifting of target species. As the more desirable fish stocks were depleted fishermen resorted to hunting sharks, which were largely unregulated. Today, the world’s shark populations are rapidly declining and the famous Kona mantas could be next as there is currently no protection for them. The lack of government action doesn’t make sense at any level. When approached the attitude is there is no problem today so we will wait until there is a problem. We have less than 200 mantas, Kona side, and if manta burgers become popular they would be wiped out long before our lethargic government could pass any form of legislation to save them. Clearly the mantas swimming represent jobs, tax revenue and a signature tourist attraction worthy of protection. Where is our government where is the DLNR?
Mahalo Capt. JJ Mendenhall
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Aloha Doug and Matthew:
Today, my editor, Reed Flickinger, has received several e-mails and phone calls from those in the dive industry upset about the speared spotted eagle ray. He said I can only write an article on one condition — that the people, who are upset, are actually doing something about it. Contacting the newspaper is not enough. He wants proof that officials at DLNR and NOAA have been contacted, as well as state representatives and council members. This would include a list of names, times and responses. Also, are you doing a petition to stop hunting, spearing or fishing of eagle rays and manta rays? Are you planning to ask the West Hawaii Fisheries Council, the state or federal government to protect these marine animals? What actions are you taking? When you have a plan or an update, please contact me. I hope this e-mail helps.
Take care,
Carolyn Lucas
Reporter
West Hawaii Today
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Reed/ Carolyn -
My e-mail with photo was sent out at noon on Sept. 30 to a wide distribution list that included Rep. Cindy Evans, West Hawaii Fisheries Council Chair Glennon Gingo, and several other members of the council, as well as Rep. Green and Dr. Walsh, whose responses I have forwarded (I have received no other responses from officials). I've also forwarded a copy of a Feb. 07 message to Dr. Tim Clark at U. Hawaii, listing both eagle rays and manta rays as among my suggested candidates for the DLNR's species of special concern list. This is a list that the DLNR proposed to protect by administrative rule, as their alternative to the manta protection bill, which died without their support. DLNR has since had a change of directors, and I have heard no indication that the new director is supporting the promulgation of such a list, although I have no inside knowledge of what goes on in the DLNR. My feeling is that it is not likely to happen any time soon, and may be delayed by public hearings, by concerns from the aquarium fish collecting industry over ornamental fish included on the proposed list (still under formulation), or numerous other factors. In the meantime, all it will take is one guy with a net or a couple of kids with spears to wipe out the pride & joy of Kona's diving community, and the economic backbone of its recreational diving industry. Incidentally, a representative from DLNR/DAR made a presentation at the last meeting of the WHFC concerning the proposed list, but limited the discussion to ornamental fishes of interest to the aquarium fish collecting industry. It all seemed very tentative and exploratory.
The initial legislation and petition to protect rays was sponsored by the Manta Pacific Research Foundation (www.mantapacific.org)
Its officers should be able to provide you with a complete history of the manta protection effort in Hawaii. To the best of my recollection it was 4 to 5 years ago when I added my name to their petition.
Doug
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