An estimated 1.5 to 3.75 million animals are taken from Hawaii's reefs every year; some estimate as many as 10 million. Aquarium defenders will refute that number, but according to Robert Wintner (a.k.a. "Snorkel Bob," a well-known diver and anti-aquarium activist), "[In 2009] on Maui, one dealer reported purchasing more fish than all the collectors reported catching."

It's not just the reporting that's poorly regulated -- there are few limits on what types or quantities of fish can be collected. As a result, some fish populations in Hawaii's reefs have shrunk by as much as 97 percent.

Aquarium fish collection isn't just destructive, it's also cruel. In order to save time and money, collectors commonly cut the fins off fish (so they won't puncture bags), puncture their bladders with needles (to compensate for pressure changes when they're quickly hauled out of deep waters), and deprive them of food so the water doesn't get filthy during transport.

This industry has to be stopped before Hawaii's reefs are destroyed. Let Hawaii know that you support legislation that would ban collecting reef fish for the aquarium trade.

Photo credit: cliff1066