Troopers out west find problems with crab gear

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Morzhovoi Bay
Type: Unlawful gear
On 1/17/10 Alaska Wildlife Troopers summonsed Benjamin K. Ley, 27, of Columbus, Ohio, for unlawful gear after it was discovered that Ley, who was the permit holder aboard the F/V Alaskan Lady, was commercial fishing for bairdi Tanner crab while using a pot that had a biodegradable escape mechanism higher than 6 inches above the bottom of the pot. Arraignment is scheduled for the Valdez District Court on 2/23/10 at 1030 hours.

Location: Unalaska Bay
Type: Unlawful gear
On 1/20/10 Alaska Wildlife Troopers summonsed Donald P. Aus, 58, of Unalaska, for unlawful gear after it was discovered that Aus, who was the permit holder aboard the F/V Good Deal, was commercial fishing for bairdi Tanner crab while using a pot that had a biodegradable escape mechanism higher than 6 inches above the bottom of the pot. Arraignment is scheduled for the Unalaska District Court on 2/10/10 at 1330 hours.

Location: Morzhovoi Bay
Type: Unlawful gear
On 1/17/10 Alaska Wildlife Troopers summonsed Alvin J. Newman, 46, of King Cove, for unlawful gear after it was discovered that Newman, who is the skipper and permit holder aboard the F/V Lady Lee Dawn, was commercial fishing for bairdi Tanner crab while using a pot that had escape rings less than the minimum 5-inch diameter. Arraignment is scheduled for the Valdez District Court on 2/23/10 at 1030 hours.

Location: Morzhovoi Bay
Type: Unlawful gear
On 1/17/10 Alaska Wildlife Troopers summonsed Tom C. Hoblet, 58, of False Pass, for unlawful gear after it was discovered that Hoblet, who is the skipper and permit holder aboard the F/V Aleut Lady, was commercial fishing for bairdi Tanner crab while using a pot that had escape rings less than the minimum 5-inch diameter. Arraignment is scheduled for the Valdez District Court on 2/23/10 at 1030 hours.

Location: Morzhovoi Bay
Type: Employing unlicensed crewmember
On 1/17/10 Alaska Wildlife Troopers contacted the skipper and
permit holder onboard the F/V Aleut Lady, Tom C. Hoblet, 58, of False Pass. Investigation revealed that a member of the Aleut Lady's crew was not in possession of a valid 2010 commercial crewmember license. Hoblet was cited for employing an unlicensed crewmember. Bail was set at $260 for the Valdez District Court.