Aquarium Fish Collector Charged With Terroristic Threatening

An underwater clash between an aquarium fish collector and an environmental activist in May has resulted in a 2nd-degree terroristic threatening charge against Hawaii fisherman Jay Lovell.

Lovell is accused of ripping the regulator out of the mouth of environmental activist Rene Umberger, who was filming the fish-collecting activity 50 feet below the ocean’s surface off Kona, the Associated
Press said Thursday.

Hawaii County prosecutors filed the misdemeanor charge against Jay Lovell, AP said. Umberger called it “an appropriate charge.”

Lovell’s brother, Jim Lovell, however, said that Umberger was disrupting the fish collectors while they were working and has filed a complaint against Umberger. Hawaii County prosecutors did not issue a statement.

The state set new rules to protect marine resources in December. Lovell reportedly was collecting in an area where it is legal.

Lovell is due in court for the terroristic threatening charge on Sept. 2.