Vessel operator charged at Ketchikan with DUI

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Ketchikan

Type: Watercraft DUI

On 12/1/23 at approximately 12:24 p.m., the Alaska State Troopers in Ketchikan were notified that the fishing vessel Silver Surfer had run aground near Gravina Island's airport. The boat's operator, David Vest, was found to be under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident. As a result, Vest was arrested for DUI and remanded at Ketchikan Correctional Center.

Sitka fisherman accused of reporting violation

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Sitka

Type: Fish ticket

On 11/18/23 Alaska Wildlife Troopers contacted Casey DiGennaro, 39, of Sitka, regarding rockfish left aboard his vessel following a commercial salmon offload. DiGennaro was cited for failing to report all fish taken on a fish ticket as required.

Bering Sea mothership nets $4,500 penalty

From the NOAA Office of General Counsel:

• M/V Phoenix — Owner Phoenix Processor LP and Capt. David Long were charged jointly and severally under the Magnuson-Stevens Act with failing to submit check-in/check-out reports or have an operational VMS onboard while operating a mothership in the Bering Sea. A $5,000 NOVA (notice of violation and assessment) was issued, and the case settled for $4,500.

$26,500 fine issued over sablefish discards

The NOAA Office of General Counsel reports the following Alaska case charged in September:

• F/V Jean C — Owners Moderation Enterprises Inc., G&W Fish Co., Strom Enterprises LLC, and operators and IFQ permit holders Harley Ethelbah and John Young were charged jointly and severally under the Magnuson-Stevens Act with illegally discarding IFQ sablefish caught with fixed gear when an IFQ permit holder onboard held unused sablefish IFQ and with failing to record discard information in the daily fishing log. A $26,500 NOVA (notice of violation and assessment) was issued.

Groundfish case settles for $47,183

The NOAA Office of General Counsel reports the following Alaska case charged in August:

• F/V America's Finest and F/V U.S. Intrepid — Owner Fishermen's Finest Inc. et al. were charged under the Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018 with exceeding mothership processing caps of flathead sole, yellowfin sole and Alaska plaice. A $48,183 NOVA (notice of violation and assessment) was issued, and the case settled for $47,183.

Catcher-processor owner, operator charged

The NOAA Office of General Counsel reports the following Alaska case charged in July:

• C/P Cape Horn — Owner Cape Horn Vessel LLC and operator Peter Pack were charged jointly and severally under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act with fishing in a closed area. A $26,801 NOVA (notice of violation and assessment) was issued.

Processor OBI settles case for $10,800

The NOAA Office of General Counsel reports the following Alaska case charged in June:

• Shoreside processor OBI Seafoods LLC and plant manager James Nelson Turner were charged jointly and severally under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act with exceeding the applicable rockfish program processing cap for sablefish by 4,987 pounds, a 1.4 percent overage. A $12,000 NOVA (notice of violation and assessment) was issued, and the case settled for $10,800.

Pollock overage charged

The NOAA Office of General Counsel reports the following Alaska case charged in June:

• F/V Ocean Invictus — Vessel owners Ocean Bay Inc. and Kilokak Inc., permit holder Ocean Invictus LLC, and operator Robert E. Graham were charged jointly and severally under the Magnuson-Stevens Act for exceeding the 300,000-pound daily limit on the harvest of pollock. A $13,159 NOVA was issued.

Feds charge observer violations

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

• C/P Cape Horn — Operator Ata Ioapo was charged under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act with sexually harassing a female observer by grabbing her buttocks without consent. A $24,000 NOVA (notice of violation and assessment) was issued.

• F/V Alaskan Star — Owners Alaskan Star Fisheries LLC, Sunrunner Alaska Corp., and Moriah Fishing Inc., operator Abraham Brendan Sullivan, and vessel manager James Aaron Stevens were charged under the Magnuson-Stevens Act with failing to log four fishing trips in the Observer Deploy and Declare System. A $12,000 NOVA was issued.

Sitka hand troller cited

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Sitka

Type: Commercial troll closed period

On 8/12/23 Alaska Wildlife Troopers cited Braden Shoemaker, 32, of Sitka, for commercial hand trolling within 1 nautical mile of Kruzof Island near Sitka Point, in an area not open to commercial trolling. Troopers observed and documented the violation on 7/30/23.

Troller cited, salmon seized at Sitka

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Sitka
Type: Possess king, coho during closed period
On 8/11/23 Alaska Wildlife Troopers investigated a report of coho salmon being delivered from a troll vessel which had retained the fish during a closed period. Investigation revealed Jeffrey Odam, 54, of Oregon, had retained five coho salmon and one king salmon while participating in the commercial chum salmon fishery. Retention of king and coho salmon was closed by emergency order when the fish were retained. The fish were seized and Odam was issued a summons to appear in Sitka District Court.

$20,000 for information in sea lion shootings

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Cordova

Type: Agency assist

Alaska Wildlife Troopers are assisting our federal partners at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration in investigating the illegal shootings of multiple sea lions and seals in the Copper River Delta. NOAA is offering up to $20,000 for information leading to civil or criminal penalties for those responsible for the deaths. If you have information regarding these deaths, please contact investigators at (907) 250-5188. More information can be found at the link below.

https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/feature-story/help-stop-illegal-shootings-sea-lions-and-seals-near-copper-river-delta

Area M fisherman cited

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: South Unimak, Shumagin Islands

Type: Fail to retain all caught salmon

On 6/17/23 Michael Galligan, 62, from Friday Harbor, Wash., was cited for failure to retain all caught salmon.

Two cited in another Area M salmon chucking case

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Alaska Peninsula

Type: Failing to retain all caught salmon

On 7/26/23 Alaska Wildlife Troopers operating off the Kodiak-based patrol vessel Stimson contacted Colin Kilin, 22, and Ignaty Basargin, 19, both of Homer, while onboard the F/V Freelancer in False Pass. The crew of the Freelancer had been previously observed by troopers discarding salmon while they were commercial fishing in the vicinity of Cape Lazaref. Both Kilin and Basargin were issued summonses to appear in court for failing to retain all caught salmon.

A couple more Bristol Bay fishermen cited

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/23/23 Trever Flathman, 36, from Bradenton, Fla., was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in Egegik, north line.

Location: Naknek

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/6/23 Kim Eufemio, 58, from Kodiak, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in the Naknek District.

Third case of Area M salmon chucking reported

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Alaska Peninsula

Type: Failing to retain all caught salmon

On 7/25/23 Alaska Wildlife Troopers operating off the Kodiak-based patrol vessel Stimson contacted Craig Danielson, 59, of Port Angeles, Wash., and Bruce L. McDonald, 68, of Port Townsend, Wash., while they were drift gillnet fishing in the Port Heiden area onboard the F/V Pixie. The crew of the Pixie had been previously observed by troopers discarding salmon while they were commercial fishing in the Cape Lutke area. Both Danielson and McDonald were issued summonses to appear in court for failing to retain all caught salmon.

Two more Bristol Bay fishermen cited

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/20/23 Evsevy Reutov, 43, from Homer, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in Egegik, north boundary line.

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/19/23 Zenon Martushev, 30, from Homer, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in Egegik.

More Bristol Bay fishermen cited

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Egegik District

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/20/23 Ivan Serebrekoff, 18, from Homer, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in the Egegik District.

Location: Egegik District

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/19/23 Kyle Gleason, 42, from San Rafael, Calif., and David Kresge, 24, from San Francisco, were cited by Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in the Egegik District, north boundary line.

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.

Sitka troller accused of taking undersized kings

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Sitka

Type: Undersized king salmon

On 7/13/23 Alaska Wildlife Troopers cited Michael Pickett Jr., 39, of Sitka, for taking undersized commercial troll-caught king salmon. The undersized fish were discovered during an offload to a local processor.

A few more Bristol Bay fishermen cited

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/19/23 Joseph Mackenzie, 61, from Anacortes, Wash., and Michael Moe, 25, from Mount Vernon, Wash., were cited by Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in the Egegik District, north line.

Location: Dillingham

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/20/23 Thomas Gardiner, 48, from Dillingham, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in the Nushagak District.

Location: Kvichak section

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 7/4/23 Paul Aliotti, 44, from Santa Ana, Calif., was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing during a closed period in the Kvichak section.

Two Cook Inlet driftnetters cited

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Cook Inlet

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 7/8/23 at approximately 1916 hours Soldotna Alaska Wildlife Troopers observed the F/V Silverton commercial fishing with a drift gillnet in the Cook Inlet Central District when commercial fishing had closed. AWT contacted the permit holder, George Savelieff, 33, of Oregon, and issued him a citation with a mandatory appearance in the Homer District Court and a maximum fine of $3,000.

Location: Cook Inlet

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 7/8/23 at approximately 1924 hours Soldotna Alaska Wildlife Troopers observed the F/V Harvest Moon commercial fishing with a drift gillnet in the Cook Inlet Central District when commercial fishing had closed. AWT contacted the permit holder, Jonathan Larson, 40, of Homer, and issued him a citation with a mandatory appearance in the Homer District Court and a maximum fine of $3,000.

Bristol Bay fisherman cited over lost setnet

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Dillingham

Type: Commercial fishing violation

On 7/12/23 Jasen Larsgaard, 39, of Wasilla, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for failing to report his lost commercial set gillnet within 15 hours.

Three more Bristol Bay fishermen cited

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Egegik District

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 7/12/23 Matthew Davis, 33, from Anchorage, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing during a closed period in the Egegik District.

Location: Egegik District

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/12/23 Garrett McCarthy, 31, from Anchor Point, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in the Egegik District.

Location: Naknek

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 7/16/23 Danislav Vukich, 65, from Naknek, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing during a closed period.

Three charged in another case of salmon chucking

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Alaska Peninsula

Type: Failing to retain all caught salmon

On 7/13/23 Alaska Wildlife Troopers operating off the Kodiak-based patrol vessel Cama'i contacted Jose Medina, 54, Thrasher Medina, 26, and Nick Gould, 28, all of King Cove. Jose Medina was identified as the permit holder for the commercial setnet fishing vessel Sea Wolf, while Thrasher Medina and Gould were identified as the crewmembers of the vessel. Prior to contacting the crew of the Sea Wolf, troopers observed salmon being thrown back into the water by the crew of the fishing vessel while they were commercial fishing in East Anchor Cove. All members of the vessel were issued summonses to appear in court for failing to retain all caught salmon. Arraignment is set for 8/24/23 in the Anchorage court.

Bristol Bay fishermen charged with sundry offenses

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Naknek-Kvichak District

Type: Commercial fish gillnet over length

On 7/12/23 Gaspare Aliotti, 70, from Marina, Calif., was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fish gillnet over length — drift.

Location: Dillingham

Type: Commercial fishing violation

On 7/12/23 Jason Mitchell, 42, of Dillingham, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for operating a drift gillnet while his vessel was grounded.

Location: Dillingham

Type: Commercial fishing violation

On 7/10/23 Desmond Hurley, 34, of Dillingham, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for transporting and selling commercially caught salmon in 2022 without a transport permit.

Another bundle of citations issued in Bristol Bay

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Egegik District

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 7/12/23 Connor Aakervik, 30, from Seattle, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing during a closed period in the Egegik District.

Location: Egegik District

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 7/12/23 Aaron Brockhoff, 49, from Montesano, Wash., was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing during a closed period in the Egegik District.

Location: Egegik District

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/12/23 Daniel Kramer, 34, and Jonah Torseth, 48, both from Hailey, Idaho, were cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in the Egegik District.

Location: Egegik District

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 7/12/23 Andrei Serebrekoff, 22, from Homer, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing during a closed period in the Egegik District.

Location: Egegik District

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 7/10/23 Damian Serebrekoff, 24, from Homer, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing during a closed period in the Egegik District.

Location: Naknek-Kvichak District

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 7/10/23 Matthew Mounsey, 29, from Snoqualmie, Wash., and Andreas Refvik, 27, from Key Largo, Fla., were cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing during a closed period in the Naknek-Kvichak District.

Location: Dillingham

Type: Commercial fishing violation

On 7/10/23 Richard Mill, 56, of Ninilchik, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in the Nushagak District.

Location: Naknek-Kvichak District

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 7/12/23 Jacob Kropf, 44, from Hubbard, Ore., and Kenyon Stier, 37, from Homer, were cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing during a closed period in the Naknek-Kvichak District.

Location: Kvichak section

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 7/13/23 John Neff, 34, from Kodiak, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing during a closed period in the Kvichak section.

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 7/10/23 Peter Konovalov, 32, from Homer, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing during a closed period in Egegik, northern boundary.

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/12/23 Mosi Slotten, 19, from Hailey, Idaho, and Zachary Wermers, 39, from Bozeman, Mont., were cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in Egegik, west boundary.

Location: Naknek-Kvichak District

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 6/30/23 Jonathan Salmon, 34, from Igiugig, and Marc Watson, 64, from Naknek, were cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing during a closed period in the Naknek-Kvichak District.

Troopers cite more Bristol Bay fishermen

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Kivchak section

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 7/10/23 Paul Blaylock, 34, from Ocean Park, Wash., and Barbara Vukas, 68, along with John Vukas, 68, both from Gig Harbor, Wash., were cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing during a closed period in the Kivchak section.

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 7/1/23 Olav Agnot, 28, from Pilot Point, and Everett Thompson, 47, from Naknek, were cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing during a closed period in the Egegik District.

Location: Kvichak Bay

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/1/23 Dean Martin, 37, from Newport Beach, Calif., was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in Kvichak Bay.

Location: Naknek-Kvichak District

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 7/4/23 Taylor Kirkman, 36, from Charleston, S.C., was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing during a closed period in the Naknek-Kvichak District.

Location: Naknek

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 7/5/23 Joel Dunagan, 27, from Yelm, Wash., was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing during a closed period.

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/5/23 Brian Barnes, 27, from Taylorsville, Utah, and Joseph Borovina, 39, from Everett, Wash., were cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in Egegik, west boundary.

Location: Kvichak section

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 7/7/23 Eric Strain, 55, from Salt Lake City, Utah, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing during a closed period in the Kvichak section.

Location: Dillingham

Type Commercial fish closed period

On 7/1/23 Hans Nicholson, 70, of Wasilla, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing during a closed period in the Nushagak District.

Location: Dillingham

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 6/27/23 Kelly Stier, 44, of Bellingham, Wash., was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in the Wood River of the Nushagak District.

Location: Ugashik District

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 6/22/23 Maxwell Alotrico, 32, from Mount Vernon, Wash., and Miles Oczkewicz, 31, from Bellingham, Wash., were cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in the Ugashik District, north line.

Location: Egegik District

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 6/22/23 Daniel Sage, 29, from Arlington, Wash., and Cameron Schille, 29, from Stanwood, Wash., were cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing during a closed period in the Egegik District.

Several more Bristol Bay salmon fishermen cited

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Dillingham

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/10/23 Avtanom Reutov, 37, of Homer, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in the Nushagak District.

Location: Dillingham

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 7/7/23 Griffin Adams, 22, of King Salmon, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing during a closed period in the Nushagak District.

Location: Naknek-Kvichak District

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/1/23 Andrew Asaro, 54, from Monterey, Calif., was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in the Naknek-Kvichak District.

Location: Kvichak section

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 7/2/23 Donald Gardner, 62, from Gig Harbor, Wash., was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing during a closed period in the Kvichak section.

Location: Naknek

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/6/23 Richard Aiello, 54, from Monterey, Calif., was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters.

Location: Egegik District

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/1/23 Linda Vardy, 60, and Timothy Vardy, 68, both from Stanwood, Wash., were cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in the Egegik District, west boundary line.

Location: Naknek-Kvichak District

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/1/23 a 16-year-old juvenile male and Jeffery Burwell, 52, both from Wasilla, were cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in the Naknek-Kvichak District, south line.

Sitka troller cited, fish proceeds seized

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Sitka

Type: Commercial troll closed waters

On 7/9/23 Alaska Wildlife Troopers observed the F/V Karmon Dee commercial power trolling in the regulatory closed waters of Fish Bay, near Sitka. Permit holder and operator Andrew Scorzelli, 51, of Sitka, was cited. The proceeds from king and coho salmon onboard the vessel were seized.

More Bristol Bay fishermen cited

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/2/23 David Stenberg, 32, from Calgary, Alberta, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in the Egegik District.

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/3/23 Daniel Gero, 31, from Salt Lake City, Utah, and Michael Kane, 30, from Tacoma, Wash., were cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in the Egegik District, west boundary line.

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 6/23/23 Alexander Reutov, 44, from Homer, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in Egegik.

Numerous Bristol Bay fishermen cited

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/3/23 Joseph Sukalski, 25, of Naknek, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in Egegik, west of the west line.

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/4/23 Evgeny Konev, 26, from Wasilla, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in the Egegik District.

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed period and grounding

On 7/6/23 Giovanni Figueroa, 28, from La Quinta, Calif., and James Nash, 68, from Mount Vernon, Wash., were cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in a closed period and grounding prohibited in Egegik.

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 7/8/23 Braden Nash, 33, from Soldotna, and Thomas Nash, 30, from Spring, Texas, were cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in a closed period in Egegik, north boundary.

Location: Dillingham

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 7/8/23 Derek Depiero, 36, of Wilson, Wyo., was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for fishing during a closed commercial fishing period.

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/6/23 Matthew Davis, 33, from Anchorage, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in the Egegik District.

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/6/23 a 17-year-old juvenile male from Everett, Wash., and Robert Zuanich, 53, from Lynnwood, Wash., were cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in the Egegik District.

Location: Dillingham

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 7/3/23 Christine Price, 48, from Dillingham, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for fishing during a closed period.

Location: Dillingham

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 6/30/23 David Barhan, 63, from St. Paul, Minn., was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in a closed period and minimum distance of gear requirements in the Wood River of the Nushagak District.

Location: Dillingham

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 6/30/23 Kaleb Westfall, 34, from Dillingham, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in a closed period in the Wood River of the Nushagak District.

Location: Dillingham

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 7/3/23 Arseny Reutov, 23, from Homer, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing during a closed period.

Location: Dillingham

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 7/1/23 Derek Edenshaw, 52, of Anchorage, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing during a closed period.

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/5/23 Damian Serebrekoff, 23, from Homer, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in Egegik, west of the west boundary line.

Location: Dillingham

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/1/23 William Faulkner, 45, from Kasilof, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in the Nushagak District.

Location: Dillingham

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 6/27/23 Eric Ohlsen, 53, from Albuquerque, N.M., was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in Wood River in the Nushagak District.

Location: Dillingham

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 7/2/23 Mike Hoseth, 35, of Dillingham, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for fishing during a closed period in the Nushagak District.

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/6/23 Kereen Smith, 31, from Copper Center, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in Egegik, north boundary.

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 6/21/23 Kereen Smith, 31, from Copper Center, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing during a closed period in the Egegik District.

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 6/26/23 Mark Ludwig, 57, from Stanwood, Wash., and Kevin Sain, 59, from Hoquiam, Wash., were cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in the Egegik District, south line.

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 6/27/23 Sean McCabe, 61, from Bellingham, Wash., was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in the Egegik District, west of west line.

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 6/30/23 Tyler Barker, 30, from Oldtown, Idaho, and Bruce Whiting, 66, from Mukilteo, Wash., were cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in Egegik, west of the west boundary.

Location: Egegik

Type: Drift gillnet too close to setnet

On 6/30/23 Zachary Brophy, 30, from Pahrump, Nev., was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for drift gillnet too close to setnet in Egegik Bay.

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/1/23 Juan Carlos Penaloza-Sanchez, 53, from Kodiak, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in Egegik, west of the west boundary.

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/1/23 Jaymi Bethea, 30, from Fairplay, Colo., was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in the Egegik District.

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/1/23 Curtis Ferris, 32, from Fairbanks, and Michael Ferris, 61, from Anchorage, were cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in Egegik, western line.

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/2/23 Michael Olaire, 46, from Homer, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in Egegik, west of the west line.

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 7/3/23 a 14-year-old juvenile male and Seth Wyman, 47, both from Wibaux, Mont., were cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in Egegik, west boundary.

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 6/29/23 a 12-year-old juvenile male and Fred Reutov, 50, both from Canby, Ore., were cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in the Egegik District, west line.

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 6/29/23 Alexander Urie, 30, from Sammamish, Wash., was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing during a closed period in the Egegik District.

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 6/29/23 Jordan Green, 43, from Seattle, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in the Egegik District, western boundary line.

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 6/29/23 Matthew North, 47, from Homer, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in Egegik, west line.

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 6/29/23 Sergei Martushev, 36, from Homer, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in the Egegik District.

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 6/30/23 Noah Francis, 24, from Sugar House, Utah, and Gabriel Kern, 25, from Salt Lake City, were cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters in Egegik.

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 6/29/23 Bradley Heil, 63, and Tanner Heil, 27, both from Homer, were cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing in closed waters.

Location: Egegik

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 6/30/23 Kollyn Smith, 38, from Springtown, Texas, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing during a closed period in the Egegik District.

Three Bristol Bay fishermen cited at Egegik

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Egegik west line

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 6/29/23 Micah Natwick, 22, from Anchorage, and William Kroontje, 26, from Lynden, Wash., were cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing closed waters on the Egegik west line.

Location: Egegik west line

Type: Commercial fish closed waters

On 6/30/23 James Plymire, 62, from Homer, was cited by the Alaska Wildlife Troopers for commercial fishing closed waters on the Egegik west line.

Sitka troller cited

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Sitka

Type: Commercial troll closed period

On 6/25/23 Alaska Wildlife Troopers observed a commercial salmon power troll vessel actively fishing in the Deep Inlet Terminal Harvest Area, during a commercial salmon purse seine opening in the THA. The Deep Inlet THA is closed to commercial trolling during commercial net fishery openings. Josef Castle, 50, of Sitka, was cited with arraignment set in Sitka District Court.

Gillnetter charged with chucking salmon

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Alaska Peninsula

Type: Failure to retain salmon

On 6/15/23 Alaska Wildlife Troopers operating off the Kodiak-based patrol vessel Cama'i issued Gregory Reutov, 41, of Homer, a summons to appear in court for failing to retain all caught salmon. Reutov was contacted on the fishing vessel Sinai while commercial drift gillnet fishing for salmon in the Unimak District of the Alaska Peninsula Area. Prior to contacting the vessel, troopers observed salmon being thrown back into the water.

Sitka fisherman accused of dinglebar violation

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Fairweather Grounds

Type: Operate more than one dinglebar troll line

On 5/24/23 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Sitka Post, cited Joseph Daniels, 45, of Sitka, for operating more than one dinglebar troll line in the directed lingcod fishery. On 5/16/23 Troopers had observed Daniels on the F/V Amnicon with more than one line deployed on the Fairweather Grounds.

Feds bring charges in two halibut cases

The NOAA Office of General Counsel reports two Alaska cases charged in February:

• F/V Miss Linda — Owner/operator Aaron Sutton was charged under the Northern Pacific Halibut Act with failing to return undersized halibut to the sea with a minimum of injury. A $4,400 NOVA (notice of violation and assessment) was issued.

• F/V Vigor — Owner/operator Jarl Gustafson and IFQ permit holder Thomas W. Hoffman were charged jointly and severally under the Northern Pacific Halibut Act with IFQ permit holder's failure to be aboard the vessel at all times during the fishing trip. The proceeds ($2,717.18) of the violation were forfeited by abandonment. A $1,000 NOVA was issued, and the case settled for $900.

Troller fished illegally at Sitka, troopers say

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Sitka

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 3/27/23 at approximately 1430 hours, Alaska Wildlife Troopers observed the F/V Marcia K commercial trolling in closed waters near Cape Edgecumbe in Sitka. Investigation revealed Shane Cook, 49, of Craig, was fishing in an area closed by emergency order. Cook was cited for commercial fishing in a closed period.

Herring seiner cited at Sitka

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Sitka

Type: Commercial fish closed period

On 4/4/23 Alaska Wildlife Troopers observed the F/V Freedom deploy a herring seine west of the west closure line in the Redoubt Bay area commercial sac roe herring fishery. Investigation revealed Bruce Marifern, 62, of Petersburg, had made the set in an area not open by emergency order to commercial sac roe herring harvest. Marifern was cited for commercial fishing in a closed period.

Deceased person aboard fishing vessel reported

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Bristol Bay/Alaska Peninsula region

Type: Deceased person

On 3/26/23 at approximately 0709 hours, Alaska State Troopers received a report of a deceased person aboard the F/V Starbound. The decedent is being sent to the state medical examiner's office for autopsy. No foul play is suspected.

Another conviction for Thorstenson

At a bench trial today in Sitka, Robert Thorstenson, 59, of Juneau, was found guilty of a commercial fishing violation, the Alaska Wildlife Troopers reported.

"Thorstenson was sentenced to a fine of $3,000 with $1,000 suspended, forfeiture of all proceeds and supplemental payments for seized fish, and two years probation with a condition to not commit any further commercial fishing violations," the agency said.

The case dates to September 2021 when Thorstenson, captain of the F/V Vigilant, and Jason Moilanen, of Petersburg, permit holder aboard the vessel, were found to be fishing in waters closed to commercial seining during a seine opening in Silver Bay near Sitka, the troopers said.

Troopers said they seized 5,170 pounds of salmon valued at $4,372.

Sitka troller cited

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Sitka

Type: Fail to record on fish ticket

On 1/23/23 Alaska Wildlife Troopers contacted Jeffrey Turner, 55, of Sitka, offloading commercial troll-caught salmon to a Sitka processor. After the offload concluded, troopers located unreported fish remaining onboard the vessel. Turner was cited for failing to report king salmon kept as personal use at the time of a commercial offload.

Dungeness crabber cited at Petersburg

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Petersburg

Type: Unlawful holding of crab

On 1/6/23 Alaska Wildlife Troopers investigated a report of Dungeness crab being held unlawfully aboard a commercial fishing vessel. Investigation revealed Maclane McGrath, 22, of Petersburg, was in possession of commercially caught Dungeness crab after the close of the fishing district. AWT issued McGrath a citation for 5AAC32.031(d)(3) Commercial Fishing Dungeness Crab Landing Requirements with a mandatory appearance in Petersburg District Court.

Wrangell fisherman cited

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Wrangell
Type: Multiple violations
On 1/8/23 Richard Scott Phillips, 37, of Wrangell, was issued a summons for two counts of commercial fishing while unregistered and two counts of failure to submit fish tickets within seven days.

A new director for the Alaska Wildlife Troopers

Here's the press release.

Costly conviction for Juneau fisherman

Robert M. Thorstenson, 59, of Juneau, recently was found guilty at nonjury trial of a commercial fishing violation and sentenced to forfeiture of $24,993 for illegally caught salmon, according to court documents.

The original citation said that on Aug. 25, 2019, at Crawfish Inlet, Thorstenson as permit holder on the F/V Magnus Martens fished with seine gear less than 200 yards from a stream mouth in closed waters.

Authorities seized 83,282 pounds of salmon.

Thorstenson originally was charged with a misdemeanor, but the charge was amended as a noncriminal first offense.

Here's the judgment in the case.