Department of Land and Natural Resources

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release

DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR

SUZANNE D. CASE CHAIRPERSON

For Immediate News Release March 16, 2016

MAUI DOCARE HOLDS
WEEKEND ‘TALK STORY’ AT KAHULUI BOAT RAMP

Will share information on fishing laws, Makai Watch volunteer opportunities

KAHULUI, MAUI — Enforcement officers with the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Community Fisheries Enforcement Unit (CFEU) will be at the Kahului Boat Ramp on Sunday, March 20, 2016 from 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. to help educate fishers about Hawaii’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.  Volunteers will be conducting outreach activities throughout Kahului Harbor and other areas that day.

The CFEU is a pilot project developed in a public-private partnership with the DLNR, Conservation International, and the Harold K.L. Castle Foundation.  Officers in the unit focus on enforcing fisheries laws and providing public education in the moku of Wailuku. More recently they have expanded efforts to include the moku of Hamakuapoko, for a total of about 17 miles of coastline.

“As we see increased compliance with rules in these areas, fishermen are seeing more fish.  A big part of achieving voluntary compliance is to ensure that fishermen understand the rules. This is why education is important,” said Jeffrey Kinores, Maui CFEU supervisor.

“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.

To learn more about the CFEU or report natural resource violations call the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement office at 643-DLNR.

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Media Contact:

Deborah Ward
DLNR Communications specialist
Phone: (808) 587-0320