Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Question: Recently, I was walking my dogs along the Ka Iwi shore at the eastern end of Sandy Beach and noticed a fishing net extending across the entire width of the inlet, or estuary, there. The net was unattended. I was quite concerned because I know this to be an area that attracts turtles. Is it legal to leave a net in the water like that? If it is not legal, who should I call next time I see a net there? Unattended fishing nets
need to be checked oftenAnswer: State fishing regulations prohibit leaving any gill net unattended without checking the net every two hours and releasing or removing any undersize, illegal or unwanted catch.
You're also not allowed to leave any gill net in the water for more than four hours in any 24-hour period, according to Deborah Ward, spokeswoman for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
Another law: The stretched mesh eye of a stationary monofilament gill net must be 2.75 inches or larger.
A gill net is any net that captures fish by the gills. Not all nets are gill nets. According to DLNR's Division of Aquatic Resources, gill nets include surround nets, which are set around a school of fish -- such as akule, weke and kala -- which are chased into the net; and lay nets, such as what you describe.
To report a suspected violation, call the state Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement hot line at 587-0077.
On the neighbor islands, call 974-6208, Hawaii; 274-3521, Kauai; 984-8110, Maui; and 567-6618, Molokai/Lanai. After hours and on weekends, neighbor islanders can call toll-free by asking the operator for Enterprise 5469.
Ward notes that all sea turtles in Hawaii are protected by the federal Endangered Species Act and state wildlife laws. That means they can't be harassed, captured, harmed or killed.
Violators would be guilty of a misdemeanor and subject to fines of up to $2,000 and/or one year in jail. They could also face forfeiting their gear and equipment, Ward said.
Additionally, someone caught threatening a turtle could face a $5,000 fine, while someone caught killing or removing a turtle from its original location could be fined $10,000 for each violation.
"The state may also pursue civil legal action to recover administrative fines and cost against the person," Ward said.
Mahalo
To HPD officers Paul Ledesma and James Yee. A few weeks ago, Officer Ledesma came to our rescue when we were locked out of our vehicle at Zippy's restaurant next to Washington Intermediate. He and Officer Yee retrieved the keys to our vehicle, allowing us to go home after an exhausting family function.While it wasn't an extraordinary lifesaving or dramatic rescue, it was the gesture, effort and care that they both took in a small way that made a big difference to us. HPD officers deserve our respect, gratitude and appreciation as "Hawaii's finest." Too often they don't receive the proper recognition in tending to our essential safety and protection. This incident proved they have just as much "aloha and understanding" for something other than a "code red" call. -- Michael Crabbe, Portland, Ore./Ipo Vaughn, Honolulu
Got a question or complaint?
Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered.
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