The officers first spotted Beevers’ vessel Thursday morning and maintained surveillance. Later in the day, a team of officers boarded the boat, suspecting aquatic resources violations, according to the department.

Officers fully inspected the boat and the Beevers’ catch at the South Point Boat Ramp. There, they reportedly found 333 yellow tang and three paku‘iku‘i, also known as Achilles tang. Both are common species of aquarium fish.

The inspection also revealed 16 violations of Hawaii Administrative Rules relating to fishing gear and permit requirements relating to the West Hawaii Regional Fisheries Management Area (WHRFMA). The violations included conducting prohibited activities with the WHRFMA, not having all of or meeting the necessary aquarium collection permit and vessel registration requirements, possessing prohibited and unmarked gear, having illegal and unregistered lay nets.