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 February 25, 2016

COMMUNITY FISHERIES ENFORCEMENT UNIT OFFICERS TO TALK FISH
Learn About Maui-Specific Rules This Weekend

(Kahului, Maui) – Enforcement Officers with the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE), Community Fisheries Enforcement Unit (CFEU) will be at the Maui Mall on February 27, 2016 from 8 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.

The CFEU is a pilot project developed in a public-private partnership with the State, 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 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.

“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 to report violations call the Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement office at 643-DLNR.

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Media Contact:

Dan Dennison
Hawaii Dept. of Land and Natural Resources
Senior Communications Manager
Office of the Chairperson-Communications Office
1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 131
Honolulu, HI 96813
(808) 587-0407

[email protected]