Marine Connection full testimony to the to the Chair and Vice Chair
of the Committee on Energy & Environment

For the attention of :
Sen Ron Menor - Chair & Sen Gary Hooser - Vice Chair
Committee on Energy and Environment

Support for SCR 114 / 3:15 pm Conference Room 211 - 12 April 2007

Dear Senators Menor and Hooser

As director of a charity working worldwide of the conservation and welfare of dolphins and whales, I am sending this testimony in support of SCR 114 a bill which would prohibit dumping of human waste from vessels in Hawaii's Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.

Allowing sewage to be dumped into a place of refuge for these magnificent creatures who attract many tourists to the Hawaiian islands, especially Maui, and bring much welcomed revenue for the islands is not only disgusting and unnecessary but totally irresponsible for the continued sustainable growth of tourism in the future. If dumping continues the waters will become even more polluted and this could result in the whales, and other marine species, ceasing to frequent Hawaiian waters and, if you lose the whales, you lose the tourism revenue associated with whale watching.

Irresponsible dumping and lack of effective legislation shows total disregard for the underwater wildlife and for humans who use the waters around the islands for leisure and poses a great threat to the health of both. Much of the islands economy is reliant upon the health of the surrounding oceans and creating legislation which demands that companies who profit from bringing people to the islands take care and pump out waste in a responsible manner is, in our opinion, a minimal request and as such we would encourage the authorities to bring into force a no-discharge zone for the Sanctuary.

I hope you will support SCR 114. Thank you for the opportunity to send in my testimony of behalf of our charity and our supporters worldwide.

Margaux Dodds
Director
Marine Connection (UK)