Bristol Bay setnetter charged with waste of salmon

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Dillingham

Type: Waste of salmon

On 8/14/20 Alaska Wildlife Troopers opened an investigation into waste of salmon taken in a commercial setnet at Clarks Point. The responsible permit holder was identified as Desmond Hurley, 31, of Dillingham. Investigation showed Hurley was not physically present at the fishing site during operation of his gear, he employed unlicensed crew, and 131 salmon from his net were wasted. On 11/30/20 Hurley was issued citations for waste of salmon, permit holder not physically present at the fishing site, and employing unlicensed crew. Arraignment set for 1/4/21 in Dillingham District Court.

Man pulled another fisherman's gear, troopers say

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Sitka
Type: Interfere with commercial fishing gear

On 11/17/20 Alaska Wildlife Troopers cited Michael T. Knauss, 69, of Sitka, for interfering with commercial fishing gear and theft. Previous investigation showed Knauss had pulled another commercial fisherman's longline gear set for sablefish on 10/8/20. Part of the gear was removed from the water and later returned to the victim. Fishing time, fish and labor were lost to the victim.

Multiple charges filed, boat seized at Juneau

Here's the press release.

Troopers confiscate fish in Cook Inlet case

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Cook Inlet
Type: Commercial fishing violation
On 8/06/20 at approximately 1322 hours, the F/V Recovery was observed by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Soldotna Post, actively commercial fishing with a drift gillnet in a closed area of the Cook Inlet waters. The captain and permit holder was identified as Avraamy Reutov, 30, of Homer. Reutov was escorted to a tender and his fish were confiscated. Charges are pending completion of the investigation.

Prince William Sound salmon fisherman cited twice

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Prince William Sound
Type: Commercial fish closed waters, driving salmon
On 6/22/20 Alaska Wildlife Troopers contacted and cited 28-year-old Homer resident Benjamin T. Daigle after he commercial fished in closed waters in the Alternating Gear Zone inside a line of buoys in front of the barrier seine at Main Bay, Eshamy District, on 6/15/20. He also was issued a citation for participating in driving or attempting to drive salmon from waters closed to salmon fishing with a seine plunger inside the AGZ on 6/16/20.

Sitka troller cited over small king salmon

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Sitka
Type: Undersized king salmon
On 6/7/20 Alaska Wildlife Troopers cited Eric Jordan, 70, of Sitka, for retaining an undersized commercially taken king salmon in the Sitka Sound troll fishery.

Sitka man gets $15K fine, 1-year ban from trolling

Here's the press release.

Two high-dollar enforcement cases disclosed

A federal enforcement report to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council, set to meet June 8-10, includes these items:

• AK1708987 — Bradley Stewart Haynes (vessel owner/vessel operator/IFQ permit holder) and Gregory Beam (IFQ permit holder) were charged under the Northern Pacific Halibut Act and the Magnuson-Stevens Act with IFQ two-area violations and for making false statements. A $195,555.34 NOVA (notice of violation and assessment) was issued.

• AK1806496A — A $191,773 Magnuson-Stevens Act NOVA was settled for $177,373. The NOVA charged Bristol Leader Fisheries, LLC and Alaskan Leader Fisheries, LLC (vessel owners) and Curtis Foster (chief engineer) with eight counts of unlawfully making adjustments to the vessel's flow scale.

Virus cited as factor in assault aboard trawler

Federal prosecutors have charged a crewman aboard the Bering Sea factory trawler Seafreeze America with assault.

United States Seafoods posted this statement on its website:

United States Seafoods (USS) is disappointed by the assault that took place on board our vessel, the SEAFREEZE AMERICA, on March 23rd. Fishing on the Bering Sea is a challenging and fast paced profession and our boats house diverse crew members from all walks of life. Conflict can and does arise on occasion, but we at USS take safety and non-violent conflict resolution seriously.

While we know that the authorities are doing their part, we want to do our part in addressing some misinformation regarding this incident. It is our understanding that the crewmembers involved had conflicts prior to the COVID-19 health crisis and that the conflict resulting in charges did not have its roots in COVID-19 prevention protocols. We know that COVID-19 is at the top of everyone’s mind now and there is understandably a lot of uncertainty and worry about what happens next. Rest assured that at USS, the health and safety of our crew and of Alaska communities are our number one priority. We do not have all the answers, but we are agile and making changes every day to our operations to follow the recommendations of the CDC, WHO, and the State of Alaska.

We know that someday we will all be on the other side of this crisis. Until then, Alaska seafood will continue to be an essential need of people all over the world. We are here and prepared to put on our Xtratufs and Grundens — and now our face masks and gloves — to ensure that need continues to be met.

Haines shrimper charged with multiple violations

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Haines
Type: Multiple violations
On 3/13/20 Alaska Wildlife Troopers contacted Caullen Taylor, 24, of Haines, after an investigation revealed he had commercial shrimped in the waters of District 15 near Haines after the closure of the commercial shrimp fishery on 2/28/20. Further investigation revealed Taylor did not own or possess a 2020 shrimp permit, or a 2020 catcher-seller permit as required. It was also discovered that Taylor had filed late fish tickets on multiple occasions. Taylor was issued a misdemeanor summons for commercial shrimping during a closed period, no commercial shrimp permit, no catcher-seller permit, and filing late fish tickets.

Fines issued in observer sexual harassment cases

NOAA has fined crewmembers aboard two factory trawlers for making sexual advances toward fishery observers.

One fine was $30,000 and the other $55,000.

The two cases are discussed here. The vessels involved are not named.