WAILUKU — Maui County's coral reefs and colorful fish are under assault by permitted collectors — and outside poachers — who capture the fish to sell to aquarium owners across the globe, according to two Maui County Council members who presented bills yesterday to regulate the industry.

Council members Wayne Nishiki and Mike Molina wrote companion bills aimed at bolstering a reef fish population that experts contend has shrunk by nearly 60 percent in the past 20 years.

The measures take different tacks: Molina's requires more humane treatment of aquarium fish; Nishiki's establishes an application and permit system to regulate the aquarium fish trade.

Current state law, which is enforced by the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, requires fish collectors to obtain permits that allow the use of fine mesh nets or traps in capturing fish and that "they possess facilities to and can maintain fish and other aquatic life alive and in reasonable health."

Nishiki chairs the council's Public Services Committee that began reviewing the measures yesterday. The panel deferred action on the bills for two weeks.

During public testimony, the bills drew both support and fire.

Robert Wintner, owner of the Snorkel Bob's chain of dive shops, was among those in favor of county regulation.

"If we fail now, reef recovery will support a greedy few who sell Maui's soul to Mainland hobbyists for chump change," he said. "An aquarium fish leaves about $4 in Maui County but retails on the Mainland for $50 on up."

One of the commonly taken reef fish for aquariums is the yellow tang, which feeds on reef algae, he said.

On the other side of the debate, tropical fish collectors and owners called the bills draconian and unnecessary. They contended that Maui County only accounts for 2 percent of the tropical fish collection industry in Hawaii.

Others said that collecting reef fish for aquariums disregards Native Hawaiian cultural respect for fish and threatens the visitor industry, which draws people to the Islands, in part, to see colorful reef fish while snorkeling or diving.

About 30 people came out testify. Many were in favor of regulation, but even among those folks, several were not satisfied with the wording of the bills and asked for amendments.

"What's it gonna cost? Tell us in dollars and cents," said aquarium hobbyist Bill Blietz.

He said passing the bills would require setting up an enforcement and permitting infrastructure in a time of deficit budgets. He said that while everyone wants to protect the reefs, the measures go too far.

"Is the county going to hire aquarium police?" he asked. "Stay outta my family's aquariums."

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