Maui Men Accused of Illegal Take and Possession of a Sea Turtle

Two Maui residents, a father and his son, are accused of the take and possession of a green sea turtle, a protected species, after being spotted by a DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement officer on routine patrol.

On Sunday at 6:50 a.m. the officer reported seeing the men retrieving a lobster net from a shoreline area known as “Round Tables” in the Waiehu area of Maui’s north shore.

The officer contacted the men and “found a dead turtle entangled in fishing net,” according to DLNR officials. “It had been placed in a metal tub which was attached to an inner tube,” according to a department release.

The turtle and all the physical items involved were taken as evidence and NOAA was informed of the incident.

Fifty-seven-year-old Randall Del Castillo Sr. and 33-year-old Randall Del Castillo Jr. both of Wailuku were cited for the take and possession of a green sea turtle, which is a prohibited activity under Hawai‘i Administrative Rules.

Both men have court dates amended to Nov. 18, in Maui District Court.