Responses by the Cook Islands Aquarium Fish Ltd. to questions about it's operations are attached in Annex 1. Cook Island Aquarium Fish Ltd accepted that some of their collectors have caused minor damage to the reef unnecessarily during capture of one species of fish. Collectors with frequent distractive fishing practices have been dismissed. This suggests that resources are sustainable with the current levels of exploitation. At present the fishery is not governed by any regulations which are designed to limit the total catch or effort, since no distinct decline in catch rates have been detected.
Management is limited to a ban on fishing in the lagoon by the expatriate fish collector.
It is prudent that management guidelines are established prior to the expansion of industry. That licenses be issued to aquarium fish exporters. That permanent marine reserves located around the islands be designated, where fishing in general is prohibited. These reserves may be selected for their aesthetic appeal where recreational divers can observe fish in an undisturbed habitat. These recommendations for management of the Aquarium Fishery should minimise the conflicting issues between different user groups, avoid overfishing, and maintain economic benefits to the country.