


Read about this week's enforcement actions from around the country.
In support of the Seafood Import Monitoring Program (SIMP), the Division conducted an inspection operation in the Los Angeles area, focusing on SIMP targeted species imported through the LAX airport and Port of LA. The objective of this operation was to ensure that seafood importers were adhering to the new SIMP regulations requiring they possess a valid IFTP permit, submit complete and accurate information from the point of harvest to point of entry into U.S. Commerce and to make all required records available for inspection at the place of business. The WCD teams visited 21 seafood import businesses and inspected a total of 70 SIMP shipments (the companies had multiple shipments within the target dates). Tuna was the predominate species with a few snapper and sea cucumber shipments. One sea cucumber shipment was found to be out of SIMP compliance by not having the required harvest to landing traceable documents, while all other shipments were in compliance.
An Enforcement Officer and Special Agent conducted compliance patrols within the San Juan Islands of Washington State for the protection of ESA listed Southern Resident Killer Whales over the Memorial Day weekend. The patrols focused on maintaining vessel distances of 200 yards surrounding and 400 yards in the path of all killer whales in Washington State waters. No violations observed.
The Division, USCG, and Oregon State Police Fish and Wildlife conducted a joint operation focused on offshore commercial salmon fishing activities. An officer from OLE conducted boardings of fishing vessels from a US Coast Guard Cutter. Another officer from OLE joined a Coast Guard HH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew in order to locate and direct the cutter and OSP patrol vessels to areas of concentrated fishing effort. Four commercial vessels were boarded before sea conditions changed making further boardings unsafe. No violations were noted on the vessels boarded