Statement From PIJAC On Lawsuit Against Hawaii Board Of Land And Natural Resources
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Alexandria, Va. – July 16, 2021 – The following statement can be attributed to Robert Likins, PIJAC’s Vice President of Government Affairs:
“PIJAC believes that the Hawaii Board of Land and Natural Resources (BLNR) arrived at the correct decision and followed Hawaiian law in accepting the revised final environmental impact statement (RFEIS) that we and the responsible Hawaiian ornamental fishers submitted. It is disappointing that this superfluous lawsuit has been brought despite the BLNR’s ultimate decision being based on the abundance of data, resources, and specific responses to items identified in earlier reviews—all of which reinforce the RFEIS and support reopening the highly sustainable aquarium fishery. We expect that this case against the state will be unsuccessful, and we will continue to work towards getting the Hawaii aquarium fisheries resurrected and the fishers’ permits reinstated. It is our goal that these fishers will be able to sustainably collect a reasonable number of limited species—a trade that not only supports the local economy’s health, but more importantly, provides for their families’ livelihoods.”
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Media Contact:
Gwyn Donohue
PIJAC Director of Communications and Public Affairs
[email protected], 202-452-1525 x1080
About PIJAC
Founded in 1971, the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC) represents the experience and expertise of the responsible pet care community to legislative, regulatory, and governing bodies in order to promote animal well-being and responsible pet ownership, foster environmental stewardship, and ensure the availability of healthy pets. PIJAC members include retailers, companion animal suppliers, manufacturers, wholesale distributors, manufacturers’ representatives, pet hobbyists, and other trade organizations.