Special Maui Fisheries Unit to Talk Story, Feb. 27

Photo courtesy DLNR Enforcement.

Enforcement Officers with the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement, Community Fisheries Enforcement Unit will be at the Maui Mall this Saturday, Feb. 27, 2016 from 8 a.m. to noon to help educate fishers about Hawaiʻi’s fishing laws.

Information on Maui specific rules for uhu or parrot fish species and goat fish species such as kumu, moano kea, and weke will be available. Fishers will also have an opportunity to learn about “Makai Watch” a volunteer component of the CFEU.

The CFEU is a pilot project developed in a public-private partnership with the State, Conservation International, and the Harold KL Castle Foundation.

Photo courtesy DLNR Enforcement.

Officers in the unit focus on enforcing fisheries laws and providing public education in the moku of Wailuku and have more recently expanded efforts to include the moku of Hamakuapoko, a total of about 17 miles of north Maui coastline.

“As we see compliance with rules increase in the area, fishermen are seeing more fish. A big part of achieving voluntary compliance are fishermen understanding the rules and so, education is important,” said DOCARE Chief Tommy Friel in a department press release.

“Due to the success of this project, we hope to make the Maui CFEU permanent and expand this model to other areas across the State,” said Suzanne Case, DLNR Chairperson in the announcement.

To report violations, the public can call the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement office at 1(808) 643-DLNR.