Sunday, June 30, 2013

Seiner charged, 51,870 pounds of salmon seized

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Prince William Sound, Beartrap Bay
Type: Commercial fish closed waters
On 6/28/13 Michael A. Babic, 30, of Cordova, operator and permit holder on the F/V Beverly Ann, was charged by Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Cordova Post, for commercial fishing the closed waters of Beartrap Bay. Troopers seized 51,870 pounds of salmon valued at over $20,000. Arraignment set for 7/10/13 in Cordova District Court.

Three fishermen sentenced at Cordova

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Cordova
Type: Convictions
The following resulted from proceedings on 6/26/13 in Cordova District Court:

• Andrew T. Eckley, 29, of Cordova, was fined $3,000 with $2,500 suspended and placed on a year's probation for commercial fishing during a closed period.

• Konstantin E. Basargin, 38, of Homer, was fined $3,000 with $1,500 suspended and placed on a year's probation for commercial fishing in closed waters.

• Efim J. Ivanov, 23, of Wasilla, was fined $3,000 with $1,500 suspended and placed on a year's probation for commercial fishing in closed waters.

Thursday, June 27, 2013

Troopers ticket Southeast salmon gillnetter

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Juneau
Type: Commercial fish closed period
On 6/26/13 Michael T. Wallace, 45, of Lynden, Wash., was cited for operating a commercial salmon gillnet during a closed period in District 15C north of Juneau. Wallace was observed during a patrol conducted by state aircraft operating the F/V Annie V south of the 15C boundary near Benjamin Island. Arraignment set for 7/10/13 in Juneau District Court.

Sound drifter accused of illegally anchoring net

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Prince William Sound, Esther Island
Type: Anchor drift gillnet
On 6/25/13 Daniel Kuzmin, 21, of Homer, was cited by the Valdez Wildlife Trooper for anchoring, or otherwise fixing, a drift gillnet off of Esther Rock. Arraignment set for 7/31/13 in Cordova District Court.

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

Dutch Harbor report

From the local police blotter:

Roads, June 16 — A stranger to the island called to say that he was lost on a mountain somewhere and his car had broken down on some remote road whose name he did not know. Officers were able to determine the man's most likely location, and subsequently transported him back to his hotel so that he could make arrangements to retrieve his rental car.

Assistance rendered, June 17, 1522 hours — Drunken caller asked officers to remove a drunken friend from the caller's residence. By the time officers arrived, the caller had forgotten what he wanted.

Assistance rendered, June 17, 1628 hours — Drunken caller again asked officers to remove the same drunken friend from the caller's residence, then called back to say he no longer needed police assistance.

Assault, June 17, 1710 hours — The drunken caller's drunken brother reported that the drunken friend had assaulted his brother. An officer responded and found one drunken brother on the floor; the drunken friend was nowhere to be found. Neither brother was able to accurately describe what had happened.

Traffic crime, June 18 — Several vehicles crossed the end of the runway while a plane was landing on the airstrip. An officer met with personnel from the airport and the crew doing construction at the end of the airstrip to discuss ways to improve traffic flow and safety during air operations.

Domestic disturbance, June 20 — Officers responded to Westward Seafoods regarding an assault that had taken place two days earlier. A woman told police that her sister-in-law had injured her neck by yanking a scarf and pulling it tight around her neck. Charges pending.

Harassment, June 20 — An officer responded to a local restaurant, where a waitress was allegedly being cursed by a cook. The officer determined that the cook had been drinking and was upset because the waitress kept returning food orders as being improperly prepared and had made obscene gestures at her. No threats were made. A replacement cook came in to take over duties in the kitchen.

Animal, June 21 — Caller reported an eagle had been struck by a tractor-trailer. Alaska State Troopers notified.

Monday, June 24, 2013

Two Prince William Sound gillnetters cited

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Prince William Sound, Esther Passage
Type: Commercial fish closed period
On 6/17/13 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Cordova Post, observed a vessel operating a drift gillnet during a closed commercial fishing period. Investigation revealed that the vessel was the F/V Tanada, operated by Jason Lee, 32, of Duluth, Minn. Lee was summoned to appear for arraignment on 7/10/13 in Cordova District Court.

Location: Prince William Sound, Eshamy District
Type: Commercial fish closed waters
On 6/18/13 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Cordova Post, observed the F/V Miss Layla operating a drift gillnet in waters closed to commercial fishing. Investigation revealed that the vessel was operated by Brice Phillips, 26, of Cordova. Phillips was summoned to appear for arraignment on 7/10/13 in Cordova District Court.

Sunday, June 23, 2013

More on the Mezirow case

We recently posted an item about an enforcement action against Andrew Mezirow, a member of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council's Advisory Panel.

When contacted about the matter, Mezirow declined to comment for the record.

Here's the case file, which The Brig requested from the court clerk in Seward.

Dungeness crabber in pinch over early start

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Juneau, Young Bay and Point Hilda
Type: Commercial fish closed season
On 6/15/13, during a patrol utilizing state aircraft, the F/V Gisli was observed operating commercial Dungeness crab gear prior to the official opening of the season. A patrol skiff was directed to the area and made contact with the vessel. The skipper, Shayar P. Valandro, 32, eventually was cited for operating commercial crab gear during a closed season, failing to register for the 2013 summer season and employing an unlicensed crewman. Marian P. Zemko, 57, was cited for fishing without a valid 2013 crewmember license. The skipper was instructed to retrieve and dump all of his gear and then have a hold inspection prior to returning to fishing.

Sea cucumber diver draws jail time, forfeits gear

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Juneau
Type: Sentencing
On 5/28/13 Benjamin Seeland, 32, of Sitka, pled guilty in Juneau District Court to one count of commercial fishing in closed waters and one count of filing false fish tickets. On 11/5/12 Alaska State Troopers onboard the P/V Enforcer contacted the commercial sea cucumber vessel Sandra L, and permit holder and diver Seeland, as they actively took sea cucumbers inside of Eliza Harbor on the south end of Admiralty Island. Eliza Harbor had not been opened to the commercial harvest of sea cucumbers in 2012. Investigation showed Seeland participated in the taking of sea cucumbers inside the closed waters of Eliza Harbor, then he filed false commercial fish tickets by listing those sea cucumbers as being caught in the Port Camden area on two separate occasions. Seeland's sentence included a $1,500 fine, nine days of jail, forfeiture of the commercial dive gear used in the violation, revocation of his Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission dive permit for one year, restitution of $3,486.02 and two years of probation.

Gillnetter accused at Kodiak of illegal fishing

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Kodiak
Type: Commercial fish closed period
On 6/13/13 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Kodiak Post, contacted Kent A. Evans II, 30, of Fairbanks. Investigation revealed Evans was commercial salmon fishing with a gillnet during a closed period. He was cited and has a court date of 7/19/13 in Kodiak District Court.

Southeast gillnetter was over line, troopers say

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Juneau, Little Island Light
Type: Commercial fish closed period
On 6/16/13, during a patrol utilizing state aircraft, the F/V Irish Eyes was observed operating a commercial gillnet 1.097 nautical miles south of the southern 15C district boundary line. The skipper, Gilbert Gunderson, of Wrangell, was cited for operating a commercial gillnet during a closed period and has a mandatory court appearance on 6/27/13 in Juneau District Court.

Prince William Sound gillnetter cited

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Prince William Sound, Eshamy District
Type: Commercial fish closed waters
On 6/18/13 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Cordova Post, cited Timothy J. Smith, 24, of Menlo, Wash., operator and permit holder on the F/V Alaskona, for commercial fishing in closed waters outside the Eshamy District. Arraignment set for 7/10/13 in Cordova District Court.

Troopers ticket three salmon trollers

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Yakutat
Type: Commercial fish closed season
On 6/13/13, while conducting a patrol utilizing a state aircraft over Yakutat Bay for a spring commercial troll fishery, Alaska Wildlife Troopers observed a vessel actively trolling into an area not open to trolling. Troopers contacted the operator of the vessel upon its return to the Yakutat boat harbor. Stephan Vale, 59, of Yakutat, was issued a summons for a mandatory appearance in Yakutat District Court.

Location: Baranof Island, Patterson Bay
Type: Undersized king salmon
On 6/9/13 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Juneau Post, issued commercial troller Mark S. Roberts, 55, of Petersburg, a summons for retaining a commercially caught king salmon under 28 inches long. Arraignment set for 6/25/13 in Sitka District Court.

Location: Frederick Sound
Type: Undersized king salmon
On 6/6/13 Alaska Wildlife Troopers contacted Harlan F. Freeman, 75, of Petersburg, commercial trolling in Frederick Sound. Investigation revealed Freeman was in possession of a king salmon under 28 inches long. The fish was seized for donation to a charity. Freeman was issued a summons to appear in Petersburg District Court.

Bristol Bay gillnetters accused of violations in 2012

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Bristol Bay
Type: Commercial fish closed waters
On 6/15/13 Alaska Wildlife Troopers contacted Boris Basargin, 30, of Homer, in response to commercial fishing violations that took place in the Bristol Bay salmon fishery during the 2012 season. Basargin was issued citations for two separate instances of drift gillnetting north of the Ugashik District north line in closed waters on the F/V Transporter. Arraignment set for 7/10/13 in Naknek District Court.

Location: Bristol Bay
Type: Commercial fish closed waters
On 6/13/13 Alaska Wildlife Troopers contacted Peter Balch, 68, of Fairbanks, in response to commercial fishing violations that took place in the Bristol Bay salmon fishery during the 2012 season. Balch was issued citations for three separate instances of drift gillnetting north of the Ugashik District north line on the F/V Rainbow Chaser. Arraignment set for 7/17/13 in Naknek District Court.

Friday, June 21, 2013

Federal grand jury indicts rockfish fisherman

Steven Carr, fishing out of Kodiak, in 2008 caught 761,421 pounds of Pacific Ocean perch worth more than $120,000.

Trouble was, he lied about where he caught the fish, say federal authorities who today announced Carr's indictment.

Read more details here.

Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Dutch Harbor report

From the local police blotter:

Suspicious person, June 9 — Vehicle owner asked an officer to remove from her tailgate the drunken young man seated thereon. The man, who was indeed intoxicated and also belligerent, refused to cooperate and suggested the officer get help. He became quite compliant when the number of officers rapidly doubled, and agreed to leave the area.

Fire response, June 9 — Report of smoke from the UniSea/N C Machinery area. Responders stood down after an officer determined the smoke was coming from the UniSea power plant.

Traffic crime, June 10 — Mother reported her son had nearly been killed by a taxi the previous day. Only limited information regarding the identity of the vehicle or driver was available. The mother asked for more frequent patrols of the UniSea area.

Fire response, June 12, 0824 hours — Fire personnel responded to the Coastal Dock regarding a fiber fire inside the hold of the F/V Blue Pacific. The fire was extinguished after several hours. The U.S. Coast Guard is inspecting the vessel for structural damage caused by the intense heat.

Fire safety, June 13 — Fire officer inspected a commercial incineration operation and ordered it to be extinguished until all chemically contaminated debris had been removed.

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Seward fisherman cited over skate bycatch

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Seward
Type: Retention of prohibited species
On 6/7/13 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Seward Post, issued a summons to Andrew David Mezirow, 49, of Seward, for retaining a prohibited species during a commercial groundfish fishery. Investigation revealed Mezirow retained big skates during a groundfish fishery in Cook Inlet on 5/21/13, when Cook Inlet waters were closed to the retention of big skates as bycatch. Arraignment set for 7/23/13 in Seward District Court.

Note: Mezirow is a member of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council's Advisory Panel.

Cordova setnetter accused of illegal fishing

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Prince William Sound, Eshamy District
Type: Commercial fish closed period
On 6/12/13 Alaska Wildlife Troopers observed a skiff operating a set gillnet during a closed period. Investigation revealed that Lyle A. Kritchen, 55, of Cordova, was operating the skiff. Arraignment set for 6/26/13 in Cordova District Court.

Wednesday, June 12, 2013

Dutch Harbor report

From the local police blotter:

Assist other agency, May 19 — Officers attempted to locate a fisherman to advise him of a family emergency. Family members were able to contact the fisherman before officers found him.

Assault, May 23 — Caller reported being struck several times in the face after he squirted a former coworker with a squirt gun. Under investigation.

Animal, June 3 — Mother reported her son had been attacked by a bald eagle, leaving him with a laceration on the right side of his head. The on-call physician was notified and asked to contact the mother.

Drunk disturbance, June 6, 1313 hours — Officers responded to a hotel regarding an intoxicated squatter who had not paid for his room. Officers determined that the drunk had been fired for fighting with his captain, had been given significant severance pay, and had run out of friends who were willing to deal with him. Officers found one last person who was willing to let him sleep in the front yard.

Drunk disturbance, June 6, 1658 hours — An intoxicated squatter was seen wandering about in the road and yelling. Officers responded and determined that the man's earlier camping arrangements were no longer suitable. The squatter was provided with contact information for a person who might be able to help him with his problems.

Guide cited in use of king salmon as bait

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Ketchikan
Type: Aid sportfish client in violation
On 6/9/13 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Ketchikan Post, issued a summons to Sean Falconer, 45, of El Sobrante, Calif., for aiding a sportfish client in illegally using the edible portions of a sport-caught king salmon as bait. Falconer is a registered sportfishing guide for Yes Bay Lodge. Falconer must appear on 6/26/13 in Ketchikan District Court.

Friday, June 7, 2013

Halibut fisherman lacked permit, troopers say

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Ketchikan
Type: Halibut permit
On 6/1/13 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Ketchikan Post, cited James Caspersen, 57, of Metlakatla, for commercial fishing for halibut without a Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission permit, and for possessing approximately 800 pounds of halibut without having a permit. Caspersen was given a summons to appear on 6/18/13 in Ketchikan District Court.

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

Two more draw prison time in Trident theft

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