Sablefish harvest overage case resolved

The NOAA Office of General Counsel reports resolution of the following case charged in December:

• F/V Lea — IFQ permit holder and owner-operator Robert J. Bateman and owner Laura S. Coleman were charged jointly and severally under the Magnuson-Stevens Act with possessing, selling and transporting 5,459 pounds of IFQ sablefish harvested in excess of what the IFQ permit onboard authorized, a 417 percent overage. The proceeds ($11,078.57) of the violation were forfeited by abandonment. A $3,000 NOVA (notice of violation and assessment) was issued, and the case settled for $2,700.

$59,784 penalty assessed in trawl case

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

• F/V Vanguard — Operator Per Hesberg and owner Vanguard Fisheries LLC were charged jointly and severally under the Magnuson-Stevens Act with fishing with, and having onboard, nonpelagic trawl gear in federal reporting areas open only to pelagic trawl gear; not complying with vessel monitoring system requirements; and inaccurate reporting. A $59,784 NOVA (notice of violation and assessment) was issued.

Three salmon fishermen cited at Sitka

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Sitka

Type: Undersized king salmon

On 2/8/24 Alaska Wildlife Troopers contacted Timothy Robinson, 64, of Sitka, during a commercial salmon offload to a local processing facility. Investigation revealed Robinson had landed one undersized king salmon and had concealed two additional unreported king salmon aboard his vessel. Robinson was cited for retaining undersized salmon and failing to report on a fish ticket.

Location: Sitka

Type: Undersized king salmon

On 2/7/24 Alaska Wildlife Troopers contacted Cale LaDuke, 42, of Sitka, during a commercial salmon offload to a local processing facility. Investigation revealed LaDuke had landed four undersized king salmon. LaDuke was cited for retaining undersized salmon.

Location: Sitka

Type: Undersized king salmon

On 2/7/24 Alaska Wildlife Troopers contacted Ryan Andrews, 45, of Sitka, during a commercial salmon offload to a local processing facility. Investigation revealed Andrews had landed five undersized king salmon. Andrews was cited for retaining undersized salmon.