Kodiak man charged with skate bycatch overage

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Kodiak
Type: Bycatch overage
On 2/19/18 Alaska Wildlife Troopers contacted Michael McKee, 50, of Kodiak, aboard the F/V Tanusha. Investigation found McKee offloaded an overage of 748 pounds of longnose skate, which was 54 percent over his allowable bycatch of skate. McKee was issued a court summons, and the funds from the overage were seized by the state.

Case against Seward fisherman dismissed

A misdemeanor charge against Andrew Mezirow, 49, of Seward, has been dropped.

Authorities in June accused Mezirow of unlawfully retaining big skate as bycatch after a cutoff date.

The Alaska Court System's online information system indicates the prosecutor dismissed the charge on 10/24/13. The case is now closed.

Mezirow told The Brig the charge stemmed from a cannery worker misidentifying a longnose skate as a big skate.

"I am pleased to be completely vindicated of any wrongdoing in the case," Mezirow said.

Seward fisherman cited over skate bycatch

From the Alaska State Troopers:

Location: Seward
Type: Retention of prohibited species
On 6/7/13 Alaska Wildlife Troopers, Seward Post, issued a summons to Andrew David Mezirow, 49, of Seward, for retaining a prohibited species during a commercial groundfish fishery. Investigation revealed Mezirow retained big skates during a groundfish fishery in Cook Inlet on 5/21/13, when Cook Inlet waters were closed to the retention of big skates as bycatch. Arraignment set for 7/23/13 in Seward District Court.

Note: Mezirow is a member of the North Pacific Fishery Management Council's Advisory Panel.