As four Maui fishermen were packing up their boat, they were cited on Friday for prohibited entry into the Moku Naio Islet Seabird Sanctuary (Shark Fin Rock) off the coast of Lanai. DLNR photo

The Maui News

Four Maui fishermen were cited on Friday for prohibited entry into the Moku Naio Islet Seabird Sanctuary (Shark Fin Rock) off the coast of Lanai.

According to the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ Division of Conservation and Resources, a local Lanai resident had reported the alleged violation to a Lanai-based DOCARE officer. The officer contacted the Maui DOCARE branch and arrangements were made to send a boat and two more officers over to assist with the investigation, a news release said.

On Friday morning, the officers traveled out to check on the sanctuary and issued citations for prohibited entry on a wildlife sanctuary to Noa Auweloa, 25; Craden Kailiehu, 25; Brysen Duarte, 27; and Ryan Carroll, 29, according to the DLNR.

Carroll was also cited for improper vessel numbering and failure to display a vessel registration decal, the news release said.

The department reminds folks that the four islets around Lanai, including Pu’u Pehe, Moku Naio, Nanahoa, and Poopoo, are closed wildlife sanctuaries and entry is illegal on all of them.

This case relied on information from a concerned citizen and anyone who sees suspected illegal activity is asked to call the DOCARE hotline at (808) 643-DLNR, or send information including photographs via the free, downloadable DLNRTip app.