-
Carroll talks about our ocean resources as managed by the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
First, when you call the DLNR hotline to report a problem, you are connected to an office in the state of Washington staffed by people who are often confused by location names in Hawaii. Carroll then plays the message you will hear if you call in after hours.
Carroll also talks about a group of people trying to protect seals on the beach by erecting signs and a fence, then moving the fence whenever the seals move. Carroll asks whether this benefiting the seals or is it acclimating them to people and nets. Also, who has authorized this practice, and were permits issued?
Recently, a dead whale was found with approximately 20 lbs. of fishing net and fishing line in his stomach. Otherwise the whale was healthy. Turtles and birds are also having problems with marine debris.
As Carroll has said many times in the past, management of governmental agencies is the problem, particularly when friends are hired to do jobs they are not qualified for. Poor management, neglect, politics, and misguided programs have all contributed to the many problems we are seeing today.
The second hour Jeff Davis, "The Solar Guy", calls in to tell us about problems caused by an illegal Bed and Breakfast on Kauai. Illegal grading on their property over the past 19 years caused downstream flooding and other problems, including killing coral. Where were conservation officers on this, and the many similar problems that occur in Hawaii every day?
Follow:: Carroll Cox, DLNR, NOA, seals, whales, monk seal, seal fence, monk seal caretakers, environmental protection.
