Weekly Highlights - August 30, 2019

Northeast

• Separate NOVAs were issued to two New Jersey vessel owners and operators for failing to take an observer when required. Each NOVA is for $6,250.

• An Enforcement Officer and Special Agent conducted field patrol and investigations in New York and New Jersey.  These included multi-agency container exams, vessel patrols for protected resources and dealer inspections at Fulton Fish Market.

Southeast

• GCES informed a Charleston, SC, Special Agent that a $52,500 NOVA was issued to the owner of a vessel which was used to commit multiple violations of the MMPA and ESA.  After receiving information from OLE regarding the alleged violations and legal restrictions, operators used the vessel to commit additional violations.

West Coast

• Enforcement Officers responded to a report of a 28-foot cabin cruiser running aground south of the Coast Guard Station in Monterey, CA.  The EO’s identified the owner and documented the incident with photographs. Through the course of the investigation it was determined negligence on the part of the owner/operator contributed to the vessel running aground.  This grounding impacted the habitat of ESA-listed black abalone and occurred within the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The owner/operator was offered and accepted a summary settlement in the amount of $800.00.

Pacific Islands

• An Enforcement Officer completed an ESA Hawaiian Monk Seal land patrol at Kaena Point State Park on Oahu.  Education and outreach were done with the local fishermen regarding the reporting of entangled ESA Hawaiian Monk Seals in fishing gear.  The fishermen were unaware that the Hawaiian Monk Seal Response group would capture and de-hook/untangle the Hawaiian Monk Seal if notified by them.  No violations were observed.