Weekly Highlights - January 8, 2021

Northeast

• Special Agents, in coordination with the Office of International Affairs and Seafood Inspection, submitted correspondence to the Government of Senegal requesting information pertaining to two vessels believed to be engaged in IUU fishing. Seafood harvested from those vessels were found entering U.S. commerce.

• OLE officers conducted a joint operation at the Calais, Maine Port of Entry, on the Eastern U.S.-Canadian border.  The operation spanned three days and nights and targeted large amounts of Canadian seafood entering the US, supplying the holiday demand.  OLE personnel inspected 22 refrigerated shipments and identified 29 suspected violations.  At this time, two summary settlements have been issued to two separate Canadian exporters for violations of U.S. lobster regulations.  

Southeast

• A Savannah, GA Enforcement Officer issued a $250.00 summary settlement regarding a commercial charter vessel missing gear required for retaining snapper/grouper.   

• A Panama City, FL Enforcement Officer issued a $375.00 summary settlement offer for the captain of a recreational vessel found to be in possession of five red drum in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico. 

West Coast

• The investigation into the shooting death of an elephant seal continued with a plea in federal court.  The defendant pleaded guilty to one misdemeanor violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.  The plea deal included six months in jail. 

Pacific Islands

• An Enforcement Officer participated in an Endangered Species Act Hawaiian monk seal patrol at Pokai Bay and Electric Beach on Oahu. Compliance assistance was given to fishermen fishing at Electric Beach.  No violations were found during the patrol.