Gear violations ring up fines for two fishermen

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Nome
Type: Update — gear violation
On 5/19/10 Eli Mendenhall, of Nome, was convicted in the Nome Court of four counts of commercial crabbing without employing the use of escape rings. The case was a result of illegally configured pots discovered by Alaska Wildlife Troopers during a patrol in March 2010. Mendenhall was sentenced to fines totaling $2,000 and one year probation.

Location: Valdez
Type: Update — gear violation
On 5/25/10 Tom C. Hoblet, 59, of False Pass, pled guilty in the Valdez District Court to the charge of unlawful gear — escape ring requirements. Hoblet, who is the skipper and permit holder onboard the fishing vessel Aleut Lady, was fined $1,000 with $500 suspended. Hoblet was further placed on probation for one year.