November 2, 2017 — HONOLULU — The Hawaii Longline Association has jumped into a legal fight they say threatens their livelihood. Longliners oppose a Maui fisherman’s complaint against the state.
In a Circuit Court filing, the association defends its practice of hiring fishermen from foreign countries and challenges a lawsuit filed by fisherman Malama Chun.
He demands the state stop issuing commercial fishing licenses to foreign fishermen.
“The folks that make up the majority of the longline fishing boats are not lawfully admitted to the United States. When they get here, they’re subject to deportation orders that the boat captains hold,” said Chun’s attorney Lance Collins.
But Longline Association president Sean Martin said there’s nothing illegal about the state’s licensing practices.
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