From the Alaska State Troopers:
Location: Whale Pass
Type: Commercial fish closed waters
On 3/7/18 Alaska Wildlife Troopers from Klawock, Petersburg and Wrangell concluded an investigation which began in December 2017. Investigation determined Jonathan McGraw Jr., 43, Keith Wagner, 52, and Curtis Looper, 27, all from Naukati, were commercially harvesting sea cucumbers from closed waters including from the sea cucumber preserve in Whale Pass. McGraw’s boat the F/V Bottom Time, his dive gear, and 1,263 pounds of sea cucumbers were seized on 12/19/17. McGraw was charged with seven counts of commercial fishing in closed waters, seven counts of illegal possession, six counts falsifying fish tickets, one count of violating conditions of release, one count of failure to display vessel identification, and one count of employing an unlicensed crewmember. Wagner and Looper were charged with one count each of commercial fishing in closed waters and illegal possession. Looper was additionally charged with one count of no crewmember license. In all, McGraw is suspected of unlawfully harvesting sea cucumbers on seven occasions totaling 7,506 pounds of sea cucumbers valued at a total of $35,288.
Showing posts with label sea cucumber. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sea cucumber. Show all posts
Friday, March 9, 2018
Sunday, January 29, 2017
Sea cucumber harvester nets $10,000 fine
The Alaska State Troopers posted this item on Friday:
Location: Prince of Wales Island
Type: Conviction
On 11/29/16 Alaska Wildlife Troopers closed out a yearlong commercial fishing case against Ronald C. Blake, 47, of Cordova, after he was convicted in the Prince of Wales court of two misdemeanor charges of failing to register for a commercial fishery and providing false information on Alaska Department of Fish and Game fish tickets. He was fined a combined total of $20,000 with $10,000 suspended. Blake, who operates the F/V Ace as a fishing vessel and a commercial tender, falsified records from the commercial sea cucumber fishery. During the sea cucumber fishery, commercial divers are allowed to harvest 2,000 pounds of product, per fisherman, during each fishing period, which typically lasts a day and a half. Most divers get the bulk of their allotment on the first day and then, after weighing the product, harvest the remaining amount during the last half day. Any amount of product that exceeds 2,000 pounds per fisherman is considered an overage and is forfeited to the state. If an overage is excessive, it may result in a criminal charge against the diver, but for minor overages there is no consequence to the fisherman. This is where the problems started for Blake. Instead of reporting the overages to Fish and Game as required, troopers were able to show that Blake was creating a "slush" fund with the excess sea cucumbers. If a fisherman who delivered product to him came up a little short, he would slide the needed amount over to that fisherman to make sure he delivered exactly 2,000 pounds. The more "legal" product that Blake purchased as a commercial tender, the more he was able to deliver to his processor and thus make more money. The F/V Ace supported three commercially permitted divers during the fishery in 2015: Blake, Makena O'Toole and Timothy Smith. When Blake or O'Toole needed a break, Smith would take their place in the water. What Alaska Wildlife Troopers noticed was that Smith always made his 2,000-pound quota but spent very little time in the actual water. The two experienced divers would easily harvest their 2,000-pound quota and then some. The additional harvest would then be placed onto Smith's quota and sold, thus ensuring that the divers off the F/V Ace always harvested and sold the maximum amount of product possible. That is called "party fishing." Because the commercial sea cucumber fishery is a competitive fishery, this type of activity is illegal. In the last two years, Alaska Wildlife Troopers have conducted seven "routine" vessel inspections on the F/V Ace, as he was the holder of seven Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission permits in 2016 and is involved in some of the most lucrative fisheries in the state to include halibut, black cod, herring and salmon. The F/V Ace, a 49-foot seiner, operates between Prince William Sound and southern Southeast most of the year either fishing or operating as a commercial tender.
Location: Prince of Wales Island
Type: Conviction
On 11/29/16 Alaska Wildlife Troopers closed out a yearlong commercial fishing case against Ronald C. Blake, 47, of Cordova, after he was convicted in the Prince of Wales court of two misdemeanor charges of failing to register for a commercial fishery and providing false information on Alaska Department of Fish and Game fish tickets. He was fined a combined total of $20,000 with $10,000 suspended. Blake, who operates the F/V Ace as a fishing vessel and a commercial tender, falsified records from the commercial sea cucumber fishery. During the sea cucumber fishery, commercial divers are allowed to harvest 2,000 pounds of product, per fisherman, during each fishing period, which typically lasts a day and a half. Most divers get the bulk of their allotment on the first day and then, after weighing the product, harvest the remaining amount during the last half day. Any amount of product that exceeds 2,000 pounds per fisherman is considered an overage and is forfeited to the state. If an overage is excessive, it may result in a criminal charge against the diver, but for minor overages there is no consequence to the fisherman. This is where the problems started for Blake. Instead of reporting the overages to Fish and Game as required, troopers were able to show that Blake was creating a "slush" fund with the excess sea cucumbers. If a fisherman who delivered product to him came up a little short, he would slide the needed amount over to that fisherman to make sure he delivered exactly 2,000 pounds. The more "legal" product that Blake purchased as a commercial tender, the more he was able to deliver to his processor and thus make more money. The F/V Ace supported three commercially permitted divers during the fishery in 2015: Blake, Makena O'Toole and Timothy Smith. When Blake or O'Toole needed a break, Smith would take their place in the water. What Alaska Wildlife Troopers noticed was that Smith always made his 2,000-pound quota but spent very little time in the actual water. The two experienced divers would easily harvest their 2,000-pound quota and then some. The additional harvest would then be placed onto Smith's quota and sold, thus ensuring that the divers off the F/V Ace always harvested and sold the maximum amount of product possible. That is called "party fishing." Because the commercial sea cucumber fishery is a competitive fishery, this type of activity is illegal. In the last two years, Alaska Wildlife Troopers have conducted seven "routine" vessel inspections on the F/V Ace, as he was the holder of seven Commercial Fisheries Entry Commission permits in 2016 and is involved in some of the most lucrative fisheries in the state to include halibut, black cod, herring and salmon. The F/V Ace, a 49-foot seiner, operates between Prince William Sound and southern Southeast most of the year either fishing or operating as a commercial tender.
Friday, October 7, 2016
Troopers cite sea cucumber divers
From the Alaska State Troopers:
Location: Ketchikan
Type: Commercial fish closed waters
On 10/4/16 Alaska Wildlife Troopers cited Darren Swedberg, 45, of Craig, for commercial diving for sea cucumbers in closed waters. Swedberg was observed diving aboard the F/V Pengertre in a closed area of Tongass Narrows. Investigation revealed Swedberg was in possession of 947 pounds of sea cucumbers at the time of the violation. The state has seized proceeds of $3,788 from the sea cucumbers found aboard the vessel.
Location: Juneau
Type: Commercial fish closed period
On 10/3/16 Alaska Wildlife Troopers onboard the P/V Sentry contacted Paul Weltzin, 53, of Juneau, permit holder and diver aboard the F/V Lite Weight, as he was commercial fishing for sea cucumbers near Point Couverden. Investigation revealed Weltzin was still diving after the fishery had closed. Further investigation revealed that a deckhand failed to possess his crewmember license as required. Weltzin was cited for commercial sea cucumber fishing during a closed period.
Location: Ketchikan
Type: Commercial fish closed waters
On 10/4/16 Alaska Wildlife Troopers cited Darren Swedberg, 45, of Craig, for commercial diving for sea cucumbers in closed waters. Swedberg was observed diving aboard the F/V Pengertre in a closed area of Tongass Narrows. Investigation revealed Swedberg was in possession of 947 pounds of sea cucumbers at the time of the violation. The state has seized proceeds of $3,788 from the sea cucumbers found aboard the vessel.
Location: Juneau
Type: Commercial fish closed period
On 10/3/16 Alaska Wildlife Troopers onboard the P/V Sentry contacted Paul Weltzin, 53, of Juneau, permit holder and diver aboard the F/V Lite Weight, as he was commercial fishing for sea cucumbers near Point Couverden. Investigation revealed Weltzin was still diving after the fishery had closed. Further investigation revealed that a deckhand failed to possess his crewmember license as required. Weltzin was cited for commercial sea cucumber fishing during a closed period.
Sunday, November 3, 2013
Sea cucumber diver, crew cited
From the Alaska State Troopers:
Location: Freshwater Bay
Type: Multiple violations
On 10/28/13 Alaska Wildlife Troopers observed the fishing vessel Julie Ann after the 3 p.m. closure of the commercial sea cucumber fishery. Investigation showed Roderick B. Taylor, 45, of Point Roberts, Wash., operated commercial dive gear during a closed period. In addition, vessel operator Mark G. Barnes, 53, of Juneau, failed to register his boat prior to participating in the fishery. Taylor and Barnes were cited, with arraignment set for 11/13/13 in Juneau District Court. Samantha R. Barnes, 23, of Juneau, was cited for failure to have a valid commercial crew license in possession.
Location: Freshwater Bay
Type: Multiple violations
On 10/28/13 Alaska Wildlife Troopers observed the fishing vessel Julie Ann after the 3 p.m. closure of the commercial sea cucumber fishery. Investigation showed Roderick B. Taylor, 45, of Point Roberts, Wash., operated commercial dive gear during a closed period. In addition, vessel operator Mark G. Barnes, 53, of Juneau, failed to register his boat prior to participating in the fishery. Taylor and Barnes were cited, with arraignment set for 11/13/13 in Juneau District Court. Samantha R. Barnes, 23, of Juneau, was cited for failure to have a valid commercial crew license in possession.
Sunday, June 23, 2013
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.
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.
Saturday, December 15, 2012
Geoduck, sea cucumber cases result in fines
From the Alaska State Troopers:
Location: Ketchikan
Type: Conviction
On 5/8/12 Le Jiayong, 57, of Ketchikan, was cited by Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Ketchikan Post, on 19 counts of falsifying commercial fish tickets and unlawful possession of commercially taken geoduck clams. Le was cited after investigation revealed he had purchased commercially taken geoducks from four fishermen and provided false weights on Alaska Department of Fish and Game fish tickets. Investigation by Ketchikan and Klawock Wildlife Troopers found that Le misreported the actual weights of clams and failed to report clams that had been harvested in excess of trip limits. On 10/25/12, through a plea agreement made with the Ketchikan District Attorney's Office, Le had 18 charges dismissed and pled guilty to one count of falsifying fish tickets. Le was fined $250 and placed on a year's probation.
Location: Ketchikan
Type: Conviction
On 4/10/12 Le Jiayong, 57, of Ketchikan, was cited by Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Ketchikan Post, for returning 22 commercial fish tickets later than the seven-day requirement. On 10/25/12, through a plea agreement made with the Ketchikan District Attorney's Office, Le had 21 charges dismissed and pled guilty to one count of failing to return fish tickets in the time required. Le was fined $2,500 and placed on a year's probation.
Location: Ketchikan
Type: Convictions
On 10/1/12 Matthew R. Pressly, 48, of Ketchikan, and Gregory S. Shaw, 34, and Samantha M. Pressly, 24, both of California, were cited by Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Ketchikan Post, for commercial fishing for sea cucumbers in closed waters. They were cited after troopers observed the F/V Lorelei commercial diving for sea cucumbers in closed waters of Trollers Cove on the east side of Prince of Wales Island. Investigation revealed the vessel had harvested 1,395 pounds of sea cucumbers from closed waters. The state seized the load of sea cucumbers valued at $5,580. On 10/19/12, through a plea agreement made with the Ketchikan District Attorney's Office, the three pled guilty to one count of commercial fishing in closed waters. Each defendant was fined $1,000 with a $500 suspended, and placed on a year's probation. Also, the proceeds of the seized sea cucumbers were forfeited.
Location: Ketchikan
Type: Conviction
On 5/8/12 Le Jiayong, 57, of Ketchikan, was cited by Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Ketchikan Post, on 19 counts of falsifying commercial fish tickets and unlawful possession of commercially taken geoduck clams. Le was cited after investigation revealed he had purchased commercially taken geoducks from four fishermen and provided false weights on Alaska Department of Fish and Game fish tickets. Investigation by Ketchikan and Klawock Wildlife Troopers found that Le misreported the actual weights of clams and failed to report clams that had been harvested in excess of trip limits. On 10/25/12, through a plea agreement made with the Ketchikan District Attorney's Office, Le had 18 charges dismissed and pled guilty to one count of falsifying fish tickets. Le was fined $250 and placed on a year's probation.
Location: Ketchikan
Type: Conviction
On 4/10/12 Le Jiayong, 57, of Ketchikan, was cited by Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Ketchikan Post, for returning 22 commercial fish tickets later than the seven-day requirement. On 10/25/12, through a plea agreement made with the Ketchikan District Attorney's Office, Le had 21 charges dismissed and pled guilty to one count of failing to return fish tickets in the time required. Le was fined $2,500 and placed on a year's probation.
Location: Ketchikan
Type: Convictions
On 10/1/12 Matthew R. Pressly, 48, of Ketchikan, and Gregory S. Shaw, 34, and Samantha M. Pressly, 24, both of California, were cited by Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Ketchikan Post, for commercial fishing for sea cucumbers in closed waters. They were cited after troopers observed the F/V Lorelei commercial diving for sea cucumbers in closed waters of Trollers Cove on the east side of Prince of Wales Island. Investigation revealed the vessel had harvested 1,395 pounds of sea cucumbers from closed waters. The state seized the load of sea cucumbers valued at $5,580. On 10/19/12, through a plea agreement made with the Ketchikan District Attorney's Office, the three pled guilty to one count of commercial fishing in closed waters. Each defendant was fined $1,000 with a $500 suspended, and placed on a year's probation. Also, the proceeds of the seized sea cucumbers were forfeited.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Three charged, 1,395 pounds of sea cukes seized
From the Alaska State Troopers:
Location: Ketchikan
Type: Commercial fish closed waters, unlawful possession
On 10/1/12 Matthew R. Pressly, 48, of Ketchikan, and Gregory S. Shaw, 34, and Samantha M. Pressly, 24, both of California, were cited by Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Ketchikan Post, for commercial fishing for sea cucumbers in closed waters. The three were cited after AWT observed the F/V Lorelei diving for sea cucumbers in closed waters in Trollers Cove of Prince of Wales Island. Investigation revealed the vessel had harvested a total of 1,395 pounds of sea cucumbers from closed waters. The state seized the load of sea cucumbers, valued at $5,580. Arraignment is scheduled for 10/18/12 in Ketchikan District Court.
Location: Ketchikan
Type: Commercial fish closed waters, unlawful possession
On 10/1/12 Matthew R. Pressly, 48, of Ketchikan, and Gregory S. Shaw, 34, and Samantha M. Pressly, 24, both of California, were cited by Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Ketchikan Post, for commercial fishing for sea cucumbers in closed waters. The three were cited after AWT observed the F/V Lorelei diving for sea cucumbers in closed waters in Trollers Cove of Prince of Wales Island. Investigation revealed the vessel had harvested a total of 1,395 pounds of sea cucumbers from closed waters. The state seized the load of sea cucumbers, valued at $5,580. Arraignment is scheduled for 10/18/12 in Ketchikan District Court.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
Sea cucumber poaching results in jail time, fines
From the Alaska State Troopers:
Location: Sitka
Type: Update — commercial fish closed period
On 3/19/12 James "Mitch" Cowan, of Sitka, and Jorge Ignacio Molina-Salas, of Atlanta, Ga., pled guilty in Sitka District Court to one count each of commercial fishing during a closed period and unlawful possession of commercial fish. Cowan was sentenced to 30 days in jail, fined a total of $8,000 with $4,000 suspended, and ordered to pay $442 in restitution to the state for illegally taken sea cucumbers. He also had to forfeit the illegally taken sea cucumbers, and was placed on probation for two years. Molina-Salas was fined $6,000 with $3,500 suspended, ordered to pay restitution, and placed on probation for two years. The charges stemmed from an investigation by Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Sitka Post, which showed Cowan and Molina-Salas took 177 pounds of sea cucumbers by using dive gear in August 2011 when the commercial sea cucumber season did not open until October 2011. The illegally taken sea cucumbers were processed and packaged for sale. A portion of the sea cucumbers were then shipped out of state with the intent to deliver the product to potential international buyers as samples, well ahead of the legal open season for commercial sea cucumbers. The remaining processed sea cucumbers were found to be in the possession of Cowan and Molina-Salas and were seized.
Location: Sitka
Type: Update — commercial fish closed period
On 3/19/12 James "Mitch" Cowan, of Sitka, and Jorge Ignacio Molina-Salas, of Atlanta, Ga., pled guilty in Sitka District Court to one count each of commercial fishing during a closed period and unlawful possession of commercial fish. Cowan was sentenced to 30 days in jail, fined a total of $8,000 with $4,000 suspended, and ordered to pay $442 in restitution to the state for illegally taken sea cucumbers. He also had to forfeit the illegally taken sea cucumbers, and was placed on probation for two years. Molina-Salas was fined $6,000 with $3,500 suspended, ordered to pay restitution, and placed on probation for two years. The charges stemmed from an investigation by Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Sitka Post, which showed Cowan and Molina-Salas took 177 pounds of sea cucumbers by using dive gear in August 2011 when the commercial sea cucumber season did not open until October 2011. The illegally taken sea cucumbers were processed and packaged for sale. A portion of the sea cucumbers were then shipped out of state with the intent to deliver the product to potential international buyers as samples, well ahead of the legal open season for commercial sea cucumbers. The remaining processed sea cucumbers were found to be in the possession of Cowan and Molina-Salas and were seized.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Juneau dive fisherman nets $500 fine
From the Alaska State Troopers:
Location: Juneau
Type: Conviction — unlawful use of dive gear
On 2/1/12 Todd W. Hadfield, 34, of Juneau, pled no contest in Juneau District Court to one count of unlawful use of commercial dive fishing gear. Hadfield was fined $1,000 with $500 suspended and placed on probation for two years. Initial investigation showed Hadfield, as the permit holder, allowed a crewmember to dive on the fishing grounds using scuba gear prior to the opening of a commercial sea cucumber dive fishery.
Location: Juneau
Type: Conviction — unlawful use of dive gear
On 2/1/12 Todd W. Hadfield, 34, of Juneau, pled no contest in Juneau District Court to one count of unlawful use of commercial dive fishing gear. Hadfield was fined $1,000 with $500 suspended and placed on probation for two years. Initial investigation showed Hadfield, as the permit holder, allowed a crewmember to dive on the fishing grounds using scuba gear prior to the opening of a commercial sea cucumber dive fishery.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Two men charged with illegal sea cucumber takes
From the Alaska State Troopers:
Location: Sitka
Type: Commercial fish closed season, unlawful possession
On 11/1/11 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Sitka Post, charged James Mitchell Cowan, of Sitka, and Jorge Ignacio Molina-Salas, of Atlanta, Ga., with one count each of commercial fishing during a closed season and unlawful possession of commercial fish. Previous investigation revealed Cowan and Molina-Salas had taken 177 pounds of sea cucumbers with dive gear from the F/V Wild Horses in late August, when the season did not open until 10/3/11. Arraignments set for 11/15/11 in Sitka District Court.
Location: Sitka
Type: Commercial fish closed season, unlawful possession
On 11/1/11 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Sitka Post, charged James Mitchell Cowan, of Sitka, and Jorge Ignacio Molina-Salas, of Atlanta, Ga., with one count each of commercial fishing during a closed season and unlawful possession of commercial fish. Previous investigation revealed Cowan and Molina-Salas had taken 177 pounds of sea cucumbers with dive gear from the F/V Wild Horses in late August, when the season did not open until 10/3/11. Arraignments set for 11/15/11 in Sitka District Court.
Monday, October 11, 2010
Two charged with exceeding sea cucumber limit
From the Alaska State Troopers:
Location: Sitka
Type: Unlawful possession of sea cucumbers
On 10/10/10 Scott Vorrath, 47, of El Cajon, Calif., and Douglas R. Cox, 47, of Vancouver, Wash., were charged with unlawful possession of commercially caught sea cucumbers. Vorrath and Cox had participated in the 2009 sea cucumber fishery, and on 10/5/09 had exceeded their daily limit of 2,000 pounds by 432 pounds each. Both had reported the overage to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and then left the state after the fishery was over. Vorrath and Cox recently returned to the Sitka area and were personally served a summons for the charge of unlawful possession of commercially caught sea cucumbers. Each was given a court date of 10/19/10 in Sitka District Court.
Location: Sitka
Type: Unlawful possession of sea cucumbers
On 10/10/10 Scott Vorrath, 47, of El Cajon, Calif., and Douglas R. Cox, 47, of Vancouver, Wash., were charged with unlawful possession of commercially caught sea cucumbers. Vorrath and Cox had participated in the 2009 sea cucumber fishery, and on 10/5/09 had exceeded their daily limit of 2,000 pounds by 432 pounds each. Both had reported the overage to the Alaska Department of Fish and Game and then left the state after the fishery was over. Vorrath and Cox recently returned to the Sitka area and were personally served a summons for the charge of unlawful possession of commercially caught sea cucumbers. Each was given a court date of 10/19/10 in Sitka District Court.
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