DLNR: 4 men cited for illegally taking 16 female lobsters from waters off Hawaii Island

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - State conservation enforcement officers cited four Hawaii Island residents for illegal taking lobsters on the opening day of lobster fishing season.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources said officers inspected the boat named “Law and Disorder III” as it returned to its slip at Kawaihae on Sunday.

Officials said they found the vessel had 16 female lobsters, with three of them having eggs. Authorities added that the four divers had a total of 40 spiny lobsters.

DLNR said it’s illegal to possess female lobsters and there are separate charges for keeping females carrying eggs.

Officials said all the female lobsters were released back into the ocean alive.

Meanwhile, all four men were issued criminal citations and are scheduled to appear in court on October 1.