Saturday, October 16, 2010

Shark Tourism Under Siege - Hawaii Appeal Denied

When chumming becomes illegal, shark tourism operators often find themselves in a tough battle for legitimacy:


Star Advertiser Hawaii



A state judge denied a request to dismiss charges of illegal shark-feeding against a North Shore ocean excursion employee yesterday as protesters rallied at the courthouse.


Pier Diem District Judge Christopher McKenzie set a Dec. 2 hearing at Wahiawa District Court for the five shark-tour employees. A trial is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 20.


Maurice Lee Chalker Jr., Richard Bock Whyte, Nickolas Gargaro and Eric Christopher Nourrie each have been charged with one count of shark feeding. Kohl William Ragragola was charged with two counts.



Each faces a $100 minimum fine, a maximum fine of $1,000 and up to 30 days in jail if convicted.



Attorney Tom Bush, who represents Nourrie, moved to dismiss the charge, but McKenzie denied the request. Nourrie, who was not present, was a deckhand for North Shore Shark Adventures. Bush said Nourrie no longer works for the company.



Complete Story.

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