A new poll commissioned by the Human Society shows that 66 percent of Hawaii residents favor ending the commercial collection of reef wildlife for aquariums. Support was highest on the Big Island, where the most collection occurs, according to a news release.

Hawaii is the world’s third-largest supplier of reef wildlife for the U.S. aquarium trade —  providing an estimated 1.5 million to 3.75 million in wild fish and invertebrates, according to the Human Society. Here are some of the poll’s highlights:

Sixty-four percent of poll respondents were born and raised in Hawaii, with the highest percentage of respondents identifying themselves as Hawaiian or part-Hawaiian.

The poll also found:

• Ranking issues by importance, 40 percent who support ending the trade in reef wildlife were concerned about negative environmental impact to coral reefs, followed by the disrespect of native Hawaiian values of caring for the land and ocean (24 percent), and the cruel and inhumane treatment of reef wildlife (11 percent).
• 98 percent of Hawaii residents do not have a saltwater aquarium.  Findings confirm reports that most wildlife taken from Hawaii’s reefs is shipped out of state for use in aquariums on the mainland. 

Proposals to ban or regulate on the collection of reef fish for the commercial aquarium trade has come up before the Hawaii Legislature for the past several years. But the bills usually die. This year was no exception.

Maui County is the only one to have passed ordinances regulating the trade.