Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Unlawful landing of Bristol Bay salmon charged

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: King Salmon
Type: Unlawful landing of salmon
On 1/28/13 King Salmon Wildlife Troopers charged KJ Herman, 58, of Kodiak, with unlawful landing of salmon. The complaint alleges that Herman commercially caught over 2,000 pounds of salmon in Ugashik and then transported them to Port Moller where he sold them, which is not legal. Herman will be arraigned on 2/27/13 in Naknek District Court.

Troopers charge Kodiak man with illegal crabbing

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Kodiak
Type: Commercial fish closed period
On 1/28/13 Kodiak Wildlife Troopers contacted Christopher Berns, 59, of Kodiak. Investigation showed Berns operated commercial Tanner crab gear off the F/V Natalia near Sitkalidak Strait on 1/27/13. An emergency order closed these waters to commercial Tanner crab fishing on 1/25/13 at 1800 hours. Berns was issued a summons for commercial fishing during a closed period and given an arraignment date of 2/22/13 in Kodiak District Court.

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

Dutch Harbor report

From the local police blotter:

Assistance rendered, Jan. 20, 0521 hours — The drunken roommate at Westward Seafoods continued to create problems, this time claiming his wallet had been stolen by his roommates. The other roommates all consented to a search of their belongings; the drunk's wallet was not found.

Assault, Jan. 22 — Officers responded to a reported fight in progress at a processing facility, and found that security officers had already detained a man who had been involved in an argument with another, unidentified person. There was no indication that any assault occurred.

Noise disturbance, Jan. 22 — Third-party call regarding noise from a bunkhouse room. An officer found two drunken men, one of whom was only partially dressed, having a heated argument in a room lit only by a black light. The shirtless man complained of having been beaten with a pillow by his friend, but reported no injuries as result of said assault. The officer advised the men they could be charged with a crime if the loud noise continued unabated.

Harassment, Jan. 22 — Man reported his wife had received numerous harassing text messages from a former employee, and asked that the ex-employee be advised not to contact his wife and not to come onto their boat or property.

Ambulance request, Jan. 23 — EMS personnel provided care and transport for a patient arriving in port on a fishing vessel.

Assault, Jan. 26 — Officers responded to a report that one woman was trying to kill another woman at Westward Seafoods, and found two women, both under the influence of what appeared to be Spice, seated outside their bunkhouse. Officers found no indication that any violence had been perpetrated, though the alleged victim clearly had an altered level of consciousness.

Ambulance request, Jan. 26 — EMS personnel provided care and transport for a woman with an altered level of consciousness.

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Second Tanaku Lodge owner charged

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Sitka
Type: Residency investigation
James Benton, 44, part owner and operator of Tanaku Lodge in Elfin Cove, was charged by Sitka Wildlife Troopers on 1/25/13 with 10 counts of making a false statement on a license application, harvest ticket or permit; 12 counts of unsworn falsification; and one count of nonresident failing to obtain a locking tag prior to harvesting deer. The charges were the result of an investigation into Benton's claims of residency. The investigation revealed that from 2007-12, Benton had obtained various licenses, harvest tickets and permits when he did not meet residency requirements. Benton also obtained resident commercial fishing permits from 2007-12 under a claim of residency when he did not meet requirements. Benton has a mandatory court appearance in Sitka District Court.

Friday, January 25, 2013

Kodiak crabber cited over sublegal Tanners

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Kodiak
Type: Possess sublegal male Tanner crab
On 1/20/13 Kodiak Wildlife Troopers conducted a boarding of the F/V Columbia as it offloaded commercial Tanner crab. During the offload it was discovered over 3 percent of the Tanner crab were less than the required 5.5-inch carapace width. James F. Eufemio, 49, of Kodiak, the operator and permit holder, was cited for possessing sublegal male Tanner crab on his vessel. Arraignment set for 2/22/13 in Kodiak District Court.

Dungeness crabber in a pinch over late delivery

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Juneau
Type: Dungeness landing requirements
On 1/20/13 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Juneau Post, cited Charles S. Mason Jr., 42, of Juneau, for possessing and delivering commercial Dungeness crab more than 24 hours following the closure of the fishery on 11/30/12. Mason delivered Dungeness in Juneau on 12/8/12 without an extension authorization from the Department of Fish and Game to possess those crab more than 24 hours following the closure of the fishery. Arraignment set for 1/30/13 in Juneau District Court.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Lodge owner charged with false residency claims

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Sitka
Type: Residency investigation
Dennis Meier, 57, part owner and operator of Tanaku Lodge in Elfin Cove, was charged by Sitka Wildlife Troopers on 1/17/13 with one count of making a false statement on a sportfish license application and five counts of unsworn falsification. The charges were the result of an investigation into Meier's claims of residency. Investigation revealed that in 2008, Meier had obtained a resident sportfish license when he did not meet residency requirements. Meier also obtained resident commercial fishing permits from 2008-12 under a claim of residency when he did not meet requirements. Meier has a mandatory court appearance in Sitka District Court.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Dutch Harbor report

From the local police blotter:

Animal, Jan. 17 — Dying eagle on the roadside. Alaska State Troopers notified.

Harassment, Jan. 18 — Caller reported he and a friend were being threatened by a drunken coworker. Investigation revealed that the suspect had asked his coworkers if they had insurance, in the event they needed stitches. Officers advised the drunken suspect that continuing his behavior could result in criminal charges. Plant security provided alternative housing so the men would not need to interact with one another.

Assault, Jan. 19, 2126 hours — Officers responded to Westward Seafoods regarding an alleged assault and learned that one drunken roommate had created numerous problems for fellow occupants, and had injured himself as he stumbled and kicked his way around the room.

Assistance rendered, Jan. 19, 2321 hours — A drunken roommate at Westward Seafoods refused to stay in his room and argued with security staff. An officer helped security move the drunk to an alternative location for the night.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Geoduck fisherman charged with overharvest

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Craig
Type: Overlimit of geoduck clams
On 1/10/13 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Klawock Post, cited Marc Reynolds, 57, of Craig, for harvesting and delivering an overlimit of commercial geoduck clams on 11/1/12. Arraignment set for 2/1/13 in Craig District Court.

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

NOAA discloses halibut enforcement cases

These items are taken from a NOAA fisheries enforcement report to the International Pacific Halibut Commission.

• A $64,260 NOVA (notice of violation and assessment) was issued to Brian Kandoll, the operator of the F/V Providence, for harvesting 10,344 pounds of halibut in Area 3A and reporting that he harvested that halibut from Area 3B in 2011.

• Nikolai Yakunin was ordered to pay a fine of $3,000 and placed on three years of probation and Kristjansson Laxfoss was ordered to pay a fine of $2,000 and placed on two years of probation for their roles in retaining, processing and transporting halibut with the C/P Lady Gundy and the F/V Wonder Worker without the proper permits.

• A $19,750 NOVA was issued to Christopher Dutton and Aquatic Edge Expeditions for operating a vessel in Area 2C with one or more charter vessel anglers onboard that caught and retained halibut without an original charter halibut permit onboard in August of 2011. The NOVA also included one count of possessing halibut that had been cut into pieces smaller than allowed by regulations.

• A $30,300 NOVA was issued to Sidney Bouschour for operating a vessel in Area 3A with one or more charter vessel anglers onboard that caught and retained halibut without an original charter halibut permit onboard in August of 2011.

Dutch Harbor report

From the local police blotter:

Theft, Jan. 7 — Vessel captain reported a new crewmember had absconded after the captain had purchased his flight to Unalaska and had bought him new fishing gear.

Environmental, Jan. 8 — A small skiff sank at the Bobby Storrs Harbor and released a small amount of oil or fuel into the water. The owner was advised and harbor officers initiated a cleanup response.

Assistance rendered, Jan. 12 — Officers responded to a request first for help with a passenger who had not paid his taxi fare, and then to a report that said passenger had fallen into the water while climbing onto his boat. The passenger was out of the water and in his galley by the time officers arrived, and declined any medical care. He then paid for the taxi ride.

Friday, January 11, 2013

Wrangell crabber charged with two violations

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Sumner Strait
Type: Commercial fish closed season
On 1/10/13 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Petersburg Post, issued Charles Gadd, 28, of Wrangell, a summons to appear in court on charges of commercial fishing in a closed season for Dungeness crab and unlawful storage of commercial Dungeness gear. Gadd, the permit holder on the F/V Sara Dawn, had Dungeness crab gear in fishing condition in Sumner Strait after the closure of the commercial Dungeness season in the area. Arraignment set for 1/29/13 in Petersburg District Court.

Wednesday, January 9, 2013

First defendant sentenced in Trident theft case

Here's the press release from the U.S. attorney's office in Anchorage.

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Dutch Harbor report

From the local police blotter:

Environmental, Jan. 3 — Plant security reported a diesel spill by one of their housing units, and said that cleanup efforts were already under way. An officer verified the information and appropriate authorities were advised.

Environmental, Jan. 4 — Officer advised the driver of a pickup, in the bed of which numerous ravens and eagles were snacking, that he needed to ensure that his garbage was disposed of in such a way that it did not create a nuisance.

Environmental, Jan. 4 — Plant security reported that the previous day's diesel spill had begun seeping into the bay. Officers confirmed the report and ensured that various authorities were apprised.

Thursday, January 3, 2013

Metlakatla man charged with fish ticket violation

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Ketchikan
Type: Fish tickets
On 1/2/13 Freeman McGilton, 67, of Metlakatla, was issued a summons by Alaska Wildlife Troopers for failing to submit Alaska Department of Fish and Game commercial fish tickets within seven days. A mandatory court appearance was set for 1/18/13 in Ketchikan District Court.

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

Dutch Harbor report

From the local police blotter:

Suspicious activity, Dec. 25 — Officers followed a set of footprints which went to multiple vehicles in the airport long-term parking lot, through an open gate at the airport and across the runway, out the airport at another gate, stopping finally at Magone Marine. Officers were unable to identify the person having made said footprints.

Welfare check, Dec. 25 — Officers checked on a drunk who was stumbling along the roadway, and advised him to continue his trek on the sidewalk conveniently located next to the road.

Drunk disturbance, Dec. 25 — Three drunken fishermen attempted to crash a private party and after being told to leave, expressed their displeasure by urinating on the door of the apartment. Odiferous moisture flowing under the door prompted the partiers to more forcefully encourage the gate-crashers to leave, resulting in a broken window and several damaged walls in the common area of the complex. No injuries were reported and no arrests were made.

Trespass, Dec. 25 — Three drunken fishermen were given trespass advisements, per UniSea security, for all UniSea property.

Traffic roads, Dec. 26 — Caller reported a buoy in the roadway.

Ambulance request, Dec. 29 — EMS personnel provided care and transport for an injured fisherman arriving by tug.