http://www.westhawaiitoday.com/daily...ews/news2.html
Success at Kona hatchery
Special to West Hawaii Today
Mahimahi, opakapaka, kampachi ä now add flame angelfish to the list of valuable marine species that have been reared by Kona Blue Water Farms during the last year at their hatchery facility at the Natural Energy Laboratory.
Following their breakthrough earlier this year with opakapaka hatchery culture, Kona Blue Water Farms researchers have achieved the first known rearing of flame angelfish in larger numbers.
Although several others in Hawaii have produced angelfish in the hatchery in ones and twos over the last year, researchers believe this is the first time any angelfish species has been successfully reared in significant numbers.
Kona Blue Water Farms, a division of Black Pearls Inc., said there is great commercial potential for producing flame angelfish - and other high value ornamental species - in the hatchery to supply to the aquarium trade.
Producing these fish in the hatchery would alleviate the pressure on wild stocks of tropical reef fish, which are targeted by aquarium - fish collectors in Kona.
Aquarium - fish collecting has sparked controversy in the last few years, with legislative moves to shut down the entire fishery and a compromise agreement closing off over one third of the coastline to aquarium - fish divers.
This hatchery breakthrough also may herald opportunities for reef restocking of flame angels and other ornamental fishes. Particularly in areas where heavy fishing has occurred in the past, reef restocking could help to replenish the stocks of these beautiful fish, with long - term benefits for the environment, the local tourist economy and the recreational dive industry.
This research has been supported by a three - year research project into developing marine fish hatchery methods, from the Advanced Technology Program in the Department of Commerce.
Kona Blue Water Farms also is proposing to set up an offshore fish farm north of Keahole Point.
"We have submitted the paperwork to the state for our offshore fish farm proposal," said Dale Sarver, BPI president, "but the environmental assessment has not yet been circulated officially for public comment."
Recognizing the interest among the Kona community in the fish farm proposal, BPI has placed the entire EA on its Web site,
www.blackpearlsinc.com. The site also includes transcripts of earlier public meetings, other background material, and a section that invites further discussion.
"We want to allow people to review our plans, and provide us with feedback" Sarver said. "We believe that if people understand what we are proposing to do, there is a better chance that they will support our efforts."
KBWF will rely on hatchery production to stock its farm with high - value local species, such as mahimahi (dolphinfish), opakapaka (deep - water snapper), and kampachi (kahala).
