Maui Men Charged with Illegal Take and Possession of a Sea Turtle

Two Maui residents, a father, and his son are charged with the take and possession of a green sea turtle, a protected species, after being spotted by a DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE) 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 the fishing net. It had been placed in a metal tub that was attached to an inner tube. The turtle and all the physical items involved were taken as evidence and NOAA was informed of the incident. 

57-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 scheduled for Nov. 25 in Maui District Court.