Ocean
Watch
Monday, April 14, 1997
Interesting questions
from readers via e-mail
Not long ago, I was visiting John Flanagan, the editor
and publisher and computer wizard of the Honolulu Star-Bulletin. We were
discussing what to write in the little blurb at the end of my column.
"Why don't we print your e-mail address?" he
suggested.
No, no, please not that, I thought. The last thing I
need in my life is another level of conflict with my computer.
But I hesitated a tad too long, and to my dismay, saw SusanScott@hawaii.rr.com
appear on John's computer screen. The deed was done.
Oh, well, I thought, as I left the office. Probably no
one will write me anyway.
How wrong I was. People from all over the country are
reading the paper on the Internet (http://starbulletin.com)
and dropping me cybernotes. Now I can't wait to check my e-mail each day.
The questions and comments are usually thoughtful, sometimes challenging
and always interesting.
One reader from Ohio State University wrote, "I
was wondering if it's legal to bring black coral into the U.S. from other
countries?"
Good question. I called the U.S. Fish and Wildlife
Service and learned that black coral is protected under CITES (Convention
on International Trade in Endangered Species).
This means that if a person brings it in to sell, a
CITES permit is required. Local U.S. Fish and Wildlife offices have the
details on permits.
Eight pieces of coral is the cutoff number for personal
use. Customs officials consider more than eight pieces a commercial
enterprise.
It is illegal to bring any kind of coral into the
United States from some countries, such as the Philippines. Others may or
may not be OK legally. You have to check each.
Besides the legality of the practice, there's a moral
issue to selling coral. Corals are extremely slow-growing animals that
people are killing in ever-increasing numbers throughout the world. This
depletion threatens not only corals but other marine species that depend
upon coral for survival.
This is a good reason not to do it.
Another reader from South Florida asks if I know a
remedy for stings from creatures called thimble fish larvae.
Despite varied opinions, there seems to be no great
cure for any kind of jellyfish sting.
Currently, Honolulu City and County lifeguards are
testing different substances and temperatures on jellyfish stings. By next
year, there should be some new recommendations based on this scientific
study.
In the meantime, rinse off the tentacles with vinegar
for box jellyfish and either fresh or sea water for other species, then
ice the sting for pain relief.
A former Hawaii resident now living in Michigan liked
my St. Patrick's Day column on things green and marine. Sounds like he
misses Hawaii.
My Kaena Point column reminded another former resident,
now in Texas, of her fondness for Hawaii. "Kaena Point will remain in
my mind forever. The starkness of the black rocks with salt crusts on them
surrounded by broken white coral is remarkable. One time we saw Laysan
albatrosses nesting and at sea. Thanks for the column, it makes my day
much happier."
Some readers ask questions that stump me. A New Mexico
reader asks which big game fish makes a motorboat type of sound. I've
never heard of that, but I'll ask around.
For a report, a sixth-grader wants to know how many sea
otters die each year from oil spills. Oops, no clue. Anyone?
I'm now grateful that John dragged me kicking and
screaming into the world of e-mail. It makes an already great job even
more fun.
And besides, how else would I ever get a one-line
message about my ambergris story that says, "Long live whale
poop!"
Please don't stop writing.
