Maui men charged with illegal take, possession of 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 officer on routine patrol.

At 6:50 a.m. Sunday, 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 fishing net. It had been placed in a metal tub which 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.

Randall Del Castillo Sr., 57, Randall Del Castillo Jr., 33, both of Wailuku were cited for the take and possession of a green sea turtle, which is a prohibited activity under Hawaii Administrative Rules.

Both men have court dates scheduled for Nov. 25 in Maui District Court.