Department of Land and Natural Resources

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release

NEIL ABERCROMBIE GOVERNOR

WILLIAM J. AILA JR, CHAIRPERSON

For Immediate News Release November 8, 2013 

HONOLULU FISHERMAN SENTENCED FOR
ILLEGAL THROW NET VIOLATION IN WAIKIKI WATERS

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HONOLULU — A Honolulu fisherman pled guilty on November 8, 2013 to an illegal throw net fishing violation in Honolulu District Court and was sentenced to a $750 fine.

Kevin R. De Canto, age 50, was cited by a Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) officer on Oct. 16, 2013 on the shoreline fronting 2255 Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki, for violating Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR) 13-75-10(a) regarding use of throw nets.

De Canto was found possessing and using a throw net with a mesh of less than the legal two inches stretched mesh.  De Canto was observed standing next to an open white bucket that contained approximately 20 dead oama.  DOCARE confirmed that the illegal throw net measured at approximately one inch stretched mesh.  This violation is a petty misdemeanor, punishable with a fine of up to $1000 and/or 30 days in jail.

“The use of illegal throw nets continues to be a serious threat to Hawaii’s near shore fisheries.  DOCARE will continue to patrol ocean waters and shorelines to ensure compliance with fishing regulations,” said Randy Awo, DOCARE Chief.

For more information on Fishing Regulations, please refer to DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources’ website located at https://state.hi.us/dlnr/dar.

To report possible violations of state fisheries, hunting or wildlife laws, call 643-DLNR.

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Deborah Ward
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Phone (808) 587-0320