2-Ton Fishing Net Removed from Beach at Kapa‘a

A fishing net weighing approximately two tons was removed from the beach at Kapa‘a last week. Photo courtesy of DLNR

A large fishing net, estimated to weigh about two tons, was removed from the beach at Kapa‘a fronting the Coral Reef Resort last week, according to the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Staff from the Kaua‘i office of the DLNR, Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation first learned about the net mass via a posting on social media late evening on Dec. 7. After an initial on-site assessment early Thursday morning by Kaua‘i DOBOR District Manager Joseph Borden, DOBOR staffers were dispatched to move and secure the net.

As far as staff could tell, no marine life was trapped in the next, and not even barnacles were evident, according to DLNR.

Two sizable, heavy trucks with chains were required to roll the partially buried in sand net mass above the high wash of the waves and onto the property of the Coral Reef Resort hotel.

The net was staged there with the permission of the hotel for removal last Friday. The net mass and any debris that came loose during the removal have been collected by Conserve Kaua‘i and the net mass will be shipped to O‘ahu for recycling/disposal.

Reports of large nets or marine debris on shorelines may be made to dlnr.marine.debris@hawaii.gov.