tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-32833235608248033882024-03-17T18:59:16.104-08:00The BrigAlaska fisheries enforcement newsDeckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10438964158972019371noreply@blogger.comBlogger1445125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3283323560824803388.post-33712875253035162222024-02-24T15:45:00.002-09:002024-02-24T15:50:20.462-09:00Sablefish harvest overage case resolvedThe NOAA Office of General Counsel reports resolution of the following case charged in December:<br /><br /><div>• F/V Lea — IFQ permit holder and owner-operator Robert J. Bateman and owner Laura S. Coleman were charged jointly and severally under the Magnuson-Stevens Act with possessing, selling and transporting 5,459 pounds of IFQ sablefish harvested in excess of what the IFQ permit onboard authorized, a 417 percent overage. The proceeds ($11,078.57) of the violation were forfeited by abandonment. A $3,000 NOVA (notice of violation and assessment) was issued, and the case settled for $2,700.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10438964158972019371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3283323560824803388.post-31634485446518779282024-02-24T15:25:00.002-09:002024-02-24T15:49:54.979-09:00$59,784 penalty assessed in trawl caseThe NOAA Office of General Counsel reports the following case charged in December:<div><br /></div><div>• F/V Vanguard — Operator Per Hesberg and owner Vanguard Fisheries LLC were charged jointly and severally under the Magnuson-Stevens Act with fishing with, and having onboard, nonpelagic trawl gear in federal reporting areas open only to pelagic trawl gear; not complying with vessel monitoring system requirements; and inaccurate reporting. A $59,784 NOVA (notice of violation and assessment) was issued.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10438964158972019371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3283323560824803388.post-73866708932437037812024-02-08T15:10:00.005-09:002024-02-08T15:18:44.663-09:00Three salmon fishermen cited at SitkaFrom the Alaska State Troopers:<div><br /></div><div><b>Location:</b> Sitka</div><div><b>Type: </b>Undersized king salmon</div><div>On 2/8/24 Alaska Wildlife Troopers contacted Timothy Robinson, 64, of Sitka, during a commercial salmon offload to a local processing facility. Investigation revealed Robinson had landed one undersized king salmon and had concealed two additional unreported king salmon aboard his vessel. Robinson was cited for retaining undersized salmon and failing to report on a fish ticket.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Location:</b> Sitka</div><div><b>Type:</b> Undersized king salmon</div><div>On 2/7/24 Alaska Wildlife Troopers contacted Cale LaDuke, 42, of Sitka, during a commercial salmon offload to a local processing facility. Investigation revealed LaDuke had landed four undersized king salmon. LaDuke was cited for retaining undersized salmon.</div><div><br /></div><div><b>Location:</b> Sitka</div><div><b>Type:</b> Undersized king salmon</div><div>On 2/7/24 Alaska Wildlife Troopers contacted Ryan Andrews, 45, of Sitka, during a commercial salmon offload to a local processing facility. Investigation revealed Andrews had landed five undersized king salmon. Andrews was cited for retaining undersized salmon.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10438964158972019371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3283323560824803388.post-29548950443343311452024-01-02T14:40:00.001-09:002024-01-02T14:40:00.141-09:00Federal officials update enforcement cases
From the NOAA Office of General Counsel:<div><br /></div><div>• F/V American Dynasty — Medic Daniel Craig Azcarate was charged under the
Magnuson-Stevens Act with sexually harassing a female fisheries observer. A $36,000 NOVA (notice of violation and assessment) was issued, and the case settled for $3,000.</div><div><br /></div><div>• C/P Cape Horn — Operator Ata Ioapo was charged under the Magnuson-Stevens Act with sexually harassing a female observer by grabbing her buttocks without consent. A $24,000 NOVA was issued, and the case settled for $6,000.</div><div><br /></div><div>• C/P Cape Horn — Owner Cape Horn Vessel LLC and operator Peter Pack were
charged jointly and severally under the Magnuson-Stevens Act with fishing in a closed area. A $26,801 NOVA was issued, and the case settled for $26,226.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10438964158972019371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3283323560824803388.post-59074075030988997962024-01-02T14:00:00.002-09:002024-01-02T14:05:41.969-09:00Troopers update Cook Inlet enforcement casesFrom the Alaska State Troopers:<div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Location:</b> Cook Inlet Central District</div><div><b>Type:</b> Commercial fish closed period</div><div>On 7/17/23 Soldotna Wildlife Troopers observed the F/V Early Dawn commercial fishing with a drift gillnet in the Cook Inlet Central District when commercial fishing had closed. Troopers contacted the permit holder, Abraham Porter, 45, of Kenai, and issued him a citation with a mandatory appearance in Homer District Court. Porter pled no contest at arraignment and was given a $3,000 fine with $1,500 suspended.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Location:</b> Cook Inlet Central District</div><div><b>Type:</b> Commercial fish closed period</div><div>On 7/17/23 Soldotna Wildlife Troopers observed the F/V Cat II commercial fishing with a drift gillnet in the Cook Inlet Central District when commercial fishing had closed. Troopers contacted the permit holder, Joshua Black, 42, of Palmer, and issued him a citation for a second commercial fishing offense with a mandatory appearance in Homer District Court. Black was given a default judgment at arraignment and a fine of $6,000.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Location:</b> Cook Inlet Central District</div><div><b>Type:</b> Commercial fish closed period</div><div>On 7/17/23 Soldotna Wildlife Troopers observed the F/V Starshine commercial fishing with a drift gillnet in the Cook Inlet Central District when commercial fishing had closed. Troopers contacted the permit holder, Donald Bridges, 75, of Soldotna, and issued him a citation with a mandatory appearance in Homer District Court. Bridges pled no contest at arraignment and was given a $3,000 fine with $1,500 suspended.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Location:</b> Cook Inlet Central District</div><div><b>Type:</b> Commercial fish closed area</div><div>On 7/18/23 Soldotna Wildlife Troopers observed the F/V Cordova commercial fishing with a drift gillnet in the Cook Inlet Central District in a closed area. Troopers contacted the permit holder, Yakov Reutov, 53, of Sterling, and issued him a citation with a mandatory appearance in Kenai District Court. Reutov pled no contest at arraignment and was given a $3,000 fine with $1,500 suspended.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10438964158972019371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3283323560824803388.post-91953475273883695992023-12-02T14:10:00.002-09:002023-12-02T14:13:25.883-09:00Vessel operator charged at Ketchikan with DUIFrom the Alaska State Troopers:<div><br /></div><div><b>Location:</b> Ketchikan</div><div><b>Type:</b> Watercraft DUI</div><div>On 12/1/23 at approximately 12:24 p.m., the Alaska State Troopers in Ketchikan were notified that the fishing vessel Silver Surfer had run aground near Gravina Island's airport. The boat's operator, David Vest, was found to be under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. As a result, Vest was arrested for DUI and remanded at Ketchikan Correctional Center.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10438964158972019371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3283323560824803388.post-37573451345674441722023-11-19T15:00:00.001-09:002023-11-19T15:00:23.142-09:00Sitka fisherman accused of reporting violationFrom the Alaska State Troopers:<div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Location:</b> Sitka</div><div><b>Type:</b> Fish ticket</div><div>On 11/18/23 Alaska Wildlife Troopers contacted Casey DiGennaro, 39, of Sitka, regarding rockfish left aboard his vessel following a commercial salmon offload. DiGennaro was cited for failing to report all fish taken on a fish ticket as required.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10438964158972019371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3283323560824803388.post-50755723187813341772023-11-14T00:05:00.001-09:002023-11-14T12:03:25.125-09:00Bering Sea mothership nets $4,500 penaltyFrom the NOAA Office of General Counsel:<div><br /></div><div>• M/V Phoenix — Owner Phoenix Processor LP and Capt. David Long were
charged jointly and severally under the Magnuson-Stevens Act with failing to submit
check-in/check-out reports or have an operational VMS onboard while operating a mothership in
the Bering Sea. A $5,000 NOVA (notice of violation and assessment) was issued, and the case settled for $4,500.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10438964158972019371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3283323560824803388.post-80717554228560946932023-11-13T12:05:00.001-09:002023-11-13T12:05:00.141-09:00$26,500 fine issued over sablefish discardsThe NOAA Office of General Counsel reports the following Alaska case charged in September:<div><br /></div><div>• F/V Jean C — Owners Moderation Enterprises Inc., G&W Fish Co., Strom
Enterprises LLC, and operators and IFQ permit holders Harley Ethelbah and John Young were charged jointly and severally under the Magnuson-Stevens Act with illegally discarding IFQ sablefish caught with fixed gear when an IFQ permit holder onboard held unused sablefish IFQ and with failing to record discard information in the daily fishing log. A $26,500 NOVA (notice of violation and assessment) was issued.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10438964158972019371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3283323560824803388.post-52355982293642657612023-10-16T15:35:00.003-08:002023-10-16T15:37:10.513-08:00Groundfish case settles for $47,183The NOAA Office of General Counsel reports the following Alaska case charged in August:<div><br /></div><div>• F/V America's Finest and F/V U.S. Intrepid — Owner Fishermen's Finest Inc. et al. were charged under the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018 with exceeding mothership processing caps of flathead sole, yellowfin sole and Alaska plaice. A $48,183 NOVA (notice of violation and assessment) was issued, and the case settled for $47,183.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10438964158972019371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3283323560824803388.post-28130464832329599312023-09-16T15:55:00.004-08:002023-09-16T15:58:25.409-08:00Catcher-processor owner, operator chargedThe NOAA Office of General Counsel reports the following Alaska case charged in July:<div><br /></div><div>• C/P Cape Horn — Owner Cape Horn Vessel LLC and operator Peter Pack were charged jointly and severally under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act with fishing in a closed area. A $26,801 NOVA (notice of violation and assessment) was issued.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10438964158972019371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3283323560824803388.post-32316676669737314112023-09-11T13:35:00.003-08:002023-09-11T13:36:07.737-08:00Processor OBI settles case for $10,800The NOAA Office of General Counsel reports the following Alaska case charged in June:<div><br /></div><div>• Shoreside processor OBI Seafoods LLC and plant manager James Nelson Turner
were charged jointly and severally under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act with exceeding the applicable rockfish program
processing cap for sablefish by 4,987 pounds, a 1.4 percent overage. A $12,000 NOVA (notice of violation and assessment) was issued, and the case settled for $10,800.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10438964158972019371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3283323560824803388.post-19266782889255828652023-09-11T13:25:00.005-08:002023-09-11T21:38:59.434-08:00Pollock overage chargedThe NOAA Office of General Counsel reports the following Alaska case charged in June:<div><br /></div><div>• F/V Ocean Invictus — Vessel owners Ocean Bay Inc. and Kilokak Inc., permit holder Ocean Invictus LLC, and operator Robert E. Graham were charged jointly and severally under the Magnuson-Stevens Act for exceeding the 300,000-pound daily limit on the harvest of pollock. A $13,159 NOVA was issued.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10438964158972019371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3283323560824803388.post-35911707571874517652023-09-11T13:15:00.004-08:002023-09-11T13:44:52.216-08:00Feds charge observer violationsThe NOAA Office of General Counsel reports the following Alaska cases charged in April:<div><br /></div><div>• C/P Cape Horn — Operator Ata Ioapo was charged under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act with sexually harassing a female observer by grabbing her buttocks without consent. A $24,000 NOVA (notice of violation and assessment) was issued.<div><br /></div><div>• F/V Alaskan Star — Owners Alaskan Star Fisheries LLC, Sunrunner Alaska Corp., and Moriah Fishing Inc., operator Abraham Brendan Sullivan, and vessel manager James Aaron Stevens were charged under the Magnuson-Stevens Act with failing to log four fishing trips in the Observer Deploy and Declare System. A $12,000 NOVA was issued.</div></div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10438964158972019371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3283323560824803388.post-77576667886005487972023-08-17T12:50:00.001-08:002023-08-17T12:50:00.141-08:00Sitka hand troller citedFrom the Alaska State Troopers:<div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Location:</b> Sitka</div><div><b>Type:</b> Commercial troll closed period</div><div>On 8/12/23 Alaska Wildlife Troopers cited Braden Shoemaker, 32, of Sitka, for commercial hand trolling within 1 nautical mile of Kruzof Island near Sitka Point, in an area not open to commercial trolling. Troopers observed and documented the violation on 7/30/23.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10438964158972019371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3283323560824803388.post-79045937919707061132023-08-13T14:45:00.001-08:002023-08-13T14:45:00.148-08:00Troller cited, salmon seized at SitkaFrom the Alaska State Troopers:<div><br /></div><div><b>Location:</b> Sitka<br /><b>Type:</b> Possess king, coho during closed period<br />On 8/11/23 Alaska Wildlife Troopers investigated a report of coho salmon being delivered from a troll vessel which had retained the fish during a closed period. Investigation revealed Jeffrey Odam, 54, of Oregon, had retained five coho salmon and one king salmon while participating in the commercial chum salmon fishery. Retention of king and coho salmon was closed by emergency order when the fish were retained. The fish were seized and Odam was issued a summons to appear in Sitka District Court.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10438964158972019371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3283323560824803388.post-71435799131917407532023-08-10T13:10:00.001-08:002023-08-10T13:11:04.927-08:00$20,000 for information in sea lion shootingsFrom the Alaska State Troopers:<div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Location:</b> Cordova</div><div><b>Type:</b> Agency assist</div><div>Alaska Wildlife Troopers are assisting our federal partners at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in investigating the illegal shootings of multiple sea lions and seals in the Copper River Delta. NOAA is offering up to $20,000 for information leading to civil or criminal penalties for those responsible for the deaths. If you have information regarding these deaths, please contact investigators at (907) 250-5188. More information can be found at the link below.</div><div><br /></div><div>https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/help-stop-illegal-shootings-sea-lions-and-seals-near-copper-river-delta</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10438964158972019371noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3283323560824803388.post-33985497597466296742023-08-05T14:25:00.002-08:002023-08-05T14:26:43.738-08:00Area M fisherman citedFrom the Alaska State Troopers:<div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Location:</b> South Unimak, Shumagin Islands</div><div><b>Type:</b> Fail to retain all caught salmon</div><div>On 6/17/23 Michael Galligan, 62, from Friday Harbor, Wash., was cited for failure to retain all caught salmon.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10438964158972019371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3283323560824803388.post-24867744842810785122023-07-28T16:45:00.003-08:002023-07-28T16:48:52.087-08:00Two cited in another Area M salmon chucking case From the Alaska State Troopers:<div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Location:</b> Alaska Peninsula</div><div><b>Type:</b> Failing to retain all caught salmon</div><div>On 7/26/23 Alaska Wildlife Troopers operating off the Kodiak-based patrol vessel Stimson contacted Colin Kilin, 22, and Ignaty Basargin, 19, both of Homer, while onboard the F/V Freelancer in False Pass. The crew of the Freelancer had been previously observed by troopers discarding salmon while they were commercial fishing in the vicinity of Cape Lazaref. Both Kilin and Basargin were issued summonses to appear in court for failing to retain all caught salmon.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10438964158972019371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3283323560824803388.post-7081151943030632652023-07-28T12:15:00.002-08:002023-07-28T12:18:18.925-08:00A couple more Bristol Bay fishermen citedFrom the Alaska State Troopers:<div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Location:</b> Egegik</div><div><b>Type:</b> Commercial fish closed waters</div><div>On 7/23/23 Trever Flathman, 36, from Bradenton, Fla., was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in Egegik, north line.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Location:</b> Naknek</div><div><b>Type:</b> Commercial fish closed waters</div><div>On 7/6/23 Kim Eufemio, 58, from Kodiak, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in the Naknek District.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10438964158972019371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3283323560824803388.post-77509137192301686712023-07-27T12:15:00.001-08:002023-07-27T12:15:00.138-08:00Third case of Area M salmon chucking reportedFrom the Alaska State Troopers:<div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Location:</b> Alaska Peninsula</div><div><b>Type:</b> Failing to retain all caught salmon</div><div>On 7/25/23 Alaska Wildlife Troopers operating off the Kodiak-based patrol vessel Stimson contacted Craig Danielson, 59, of Port Angeles, Wash., and Bruce L. McDonald, 68, of Port Townsend, Wash., while they were drift gillnet fishing in the Port Heiden area onboard the F/V Pixie. The crew of the Pixie had been previously observed by troopers discarding salmon while they were commercial fishing in the Cape Lutke area. Both Danielson and McDonald were issued summonses to appear in court for failing to retain all caught salmon.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10438964158972019371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3283323560824803388.post-43799351388913109402023-07-27T11:55:00.011-08:002023-07-27T11:56:06.077-08:00Two more Bristol Bay fishermen citedFrom the Alaska State Troopers:<div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Location:</b> Egegik</div><div><b>Type:</b> Commercial fish closed waters</div><div>On 7/20/23 Evsevy Reutov, 43, from Homer, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in Egegik, north boundary line.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Location:</b> Egegik</div><div><b>Type:</b> Commercial fish closed waters</div><div>On 7/19/23 Zenon Martushev, 30, from Homer, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in Egegik.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10438964158972019371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3283323560824803388.post-7993654479364585562023-07-25T13:30:00.009-08:002023-07-25T13:30:48.925-08:00More Bristol Bay fishermen citedFrom the Alaska State Troopers:<div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Location:</b> Egegik District</div><div><b>Type:</b> Commercial fish closed waters</div><div>On 7/20/23 Ivan Serebrekoff, 18, from Homer, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in the Egegik District.</div><div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Location:</b> Egegik District</div><div><b>Type:</b> Commercial fish closed waters</div><div>On 7/19/23 Kyle Gleason, 42, from San Rafael, Calif., and David Kresge, 24, from San Francisco, were cited by Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in the Egegik District, north boundary line.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10438964158972019371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3283323560824803388.post-71359438058081598782023-07-22T16:20:00.001-08:002023-07-22T16:20:00.139-08:00Feds report a number of enforcement actionsThe NOAA Office of General Counsel reports the following Alaska cases charged in May:<div><br /></div><div>• F/V American Dynasty — Medic Daniel Craig Azcarate was charged under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act with sexually harassing a female fisheries observer. A $36,000 NOVA (notice of violation and assessment) was issued.</div><div><br /></div><div>• F/V Alaska Beauty — Owner Jireh Fisheries LLC and operator Curtis Waters were charged jointly and severally under the Magnuson-Stevens Act with directed fishing for pollock in an area closed to directed fishing. A $9,249 NOVA was issued, and the case settled for $9,141.50.</div><div><br /></div><div>• F/V St. Nicholas — Operator Michael Walter Lasiter was charged under the Northern Pacific Halibut Act with fishing for halibut in violation of the annual management measures by possessing onboard a vessel Pacific halibut that has been filleted, mutilated, or otherwise disfigured in any manner. A $8,000 NOVA was issued. The NOVA became a final administrative decision due to default.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10438964158972019371noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3283323560824803388.post-75167054466541382442023-07-22T12:45:00.001-08:002023-07-22T12:45:00.158-08:00Sitka troller accused of taking undersized kingsFrom the Alaska State Troopers:<div><b><br /></b></div><div><b>Location:</b> Sitka</div><div><b>Type:</b> Undersized king salmon</div><div>On 7/13/23 Alaska Wildlife Troopers cited Michael Pickett Jr., 39, of Sitka, for taking undersized commercial troll-caught king salmon. The undersized fish were discovered during an offload to a local processor.</div>Deckbosshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10438964158972019371noreply@blogger.com0