Observer infractions charged

NOAA's Office of General Counsel reports the following case charged in March:

• F/V Carlynn — Owner Carlynn Inc. and owner-operator Robert Becker were charged jointly and severally under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act with failing to maintain safe conditions for the protection of observers, failing to provide adequate accommodations for observers, and intimidating and harassing observers. A $28,500 NOVA (notice of violation and assessment) was issued.

Man charged with harassment in Unalakleet

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Unalakleet

Type: Harassment

On 6/18/24 Alaska State Troopers received a report from a 29-year-old woman reporting she was touched inappropriately by Gary S. Lybrand, 71, of Soldotna, while she was working at the fish-processing plant yard in Unalakleet. Investigation revealed Lybrand put his hand down the woman's front pants pocket without consent and then grazed her chest over her clothes with the back of his hand, while commenting how much he liked her coveralls. Troopers filed harassment charges against Lybrand.

Feds report a number of enforcement actions

The NOAA Office of General Counsel reports the following Alaska cases charged in May:

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.