Case against Seward fisherman dismissed

A misdemeanor charge against Andrew Mezirow, 49, of Seward, has been dropped.

Authorities in June accused Mezirow of unlawfully retaining big skate as bycatch after a cutoff date.

The Alaska Court System's online information system indicates the prosecutor dismissed the charge on 10/24/13. The case is now closed.

Mezirow told The Brig the charge stemmed from a cannery worker misidentifying a longnose skate as a big skate.

"I am pleased to be completely vindicated of any wrongdoing in the case," Mezirow said.