$48,000 penalty proposed in observer abuse case

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

• F/V New Venture — Operator Peter Thomas Wilson Jr. was charged under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act with assaulting, intimidating, interfering with, sexually harassing and harassing a female fisheries observer. A $48,000 NOVA (notice of violation and assessment) was issued.