HAWAII IMPORTATION PERMITS AND SPECIES IN THE ENVIRONMENT

Hawaii's aquaculture industry is driven by the introduction and production of exotic species. At issue is the establishment of exotic species in the environment. The number of import permits issued can represent the potential for exotics to establish in the environment. More than half of the permits issued annually by the Plant Quarantine Branch are multiple entry-permits related to live marine food and ornamental organisms. Single entry-permits amount to about 150 permits per year for more ornamental than food organisms. Known listings of exotic species in the environment can indicate trends and potential species establishment. Since the 1960s, the numbers of exotic species established in the environment has matched those released by the State prior to 1960 for forage or game purposes. The majority of species released is probably owing to hobby-related activity and not that of the aquaculture industry. The ornamental sector of the industry is not sufficiently developed and production by Hawaii aquaculture farms is exported.