‘America’s Galapagos’ could get protection

Ban reviews of fishing bans?
But even that is not enduring enough for some.

A sanctuary can include significant fishing and even if the new rules do ban fishing, they can be reviewed every five years and changed, said U.S. Rep. Ed Case, D-Hawaii.

Case has introduced a federal bill that would create a refuge banning fishing in the islands, with the exception of traditional subsistence fishing, through an act of Congress.

“Why not just make the call and say ’Pau, already. We’re not going to fish here anymore,”’ said Case, using the Hawaiian word for “done.”

The Washington-based Ocean Conservancy supports both Case’s bill and the sanctuary process. The group wants to see the Clinton-era executive orders that established the coral reef ecosystem reserve kept in place and bolstered by further protections, said Ellen Athas, director of ecosystem protection.

The coral of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands have been spared the intense development and fishing seen at reefs elsewhere in the country. The next year presents an opportunity to preserve them into the future, Athas said.

“We need to be real firm on no fishing,” she said.

White House sees consensus
Athas, who led the ocean’s division of the White House Council on Environmental Quality when then-President Clinton established the reserve, said Connaughton’s presence on Lingle’s trip indicates possible administration support for tough rules in the region.

Connaughton said there’s strong interest by a number of constituencies toward the highest levels of protection, while still allowing for access to such places as Midway.

“So I’m hopeful that a really solid protection plan can be developed,” he said. “In fact, I expect it because there’s a lot of consensus.”

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