Troopers issue tickets, seize crab pots at Nome

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Nome/Norton Sound
Type: Winter crab fishery violations
Alaska Wildlife Troopers conducted a patrol of the Norton Sound king crab fishery from March 18 through March 23. Several violations were discovered which resulted in 15 pots being seized and 10 citations issued. Violations were for failure to obtain a subsistence permit, failure to mark subsistence pots, failure to properly mark commercial pots, improper commercial pot configuration and inadequate bio-escape mechanism. Citations were issued to Nome residents Caleb Weaver, Fred Tocktoo, Tony Shelp and Obie Simonis. Anyone missing pots is encouraged to contact Alaska Wildlife Troopers to determine if any of the pots seized for being unmarked belong to them.

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.

Norton Sound crabbers pinched in license case

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Nome
Type: No crewmember license
On 3/30/10 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, while on Norton Sound crab patrol via state snowmachines, contacted Nome residents Frank Carruthers and Phillip Pryzmont on the sea ice west of Nome while they were engaged in commercial crab fishing. It was determined that Pryzmont had neither a permit nor commercial crewmember license. Pryzmont was cited for no crewmember license and Carruthers was cited for employing an unlicensed crewman.

Some liquor, some beer, a rescue and a verdict

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Nome
Type: Importing alcohol — trial results
On 2/24/10 a Nome jury found Timothy L. Moore, 40, of Elim, guilty of felony alcohol importation. The verdict stems from an incident that occurred on 8/24/09 when Moore, Martin Saccheus and Wayne Moses conspired to purchase and import 84 bottles of alcohol and 72 cans of beer to Elim. Prior to their U. S. Coast Guard ocean rescue, Moore and Saccheus pitched the alcohol into the ocean to avoid being caught. Sentencing is scheduled for March.