Weekly Highlights - May 21, 2021

Northeast

• An EO partnered with the U.S. Coast Guard to conduct targeted boardings of anglers targeting HMS. Three boarding’s were conducted with no violations.

• An EO participated in a multi-agency operation to facilitate the importation of five beluga whales from a facility in Canada to the Mystic Aquarium in Connecticut. USFWS ensured compliance with CITES requirements, NMFS OLE confirmed compliance with the MMPA Import Permit conditions, CBP authorized the use of a non-essential airport and expedited customs clearance for the flight crew, Connecticut State Police provided security, and the Army National Guard provided logistics, equipment, and the airstrip.

Southeast

• A Cape Canaveral Florida EO reviewed two FWC JEA case packages and assessed a $1550 Summary Settlement for possession of red snapper and disposing upon approach of LE vessel and issued a Written Warning for fishing for Spanish mackerel while using two gill nets.

West Coast

• Twelve land patrols completed (two Magnuson Stevens Act, three Northern Pacific Halibut Act, one High Seas Fisheries Compliance Act, three Endangered Species Act, one Highly Migratory Species and two Marine Mammal Protection Act). Three charter vessels did not have IPHC permits and WDFW issued 3 state violations for failure to fill out catch records to one recreational boat (Northern Pacific Halibut Act.)

Alaska

• NOAA GC issued a $22,800 NOVA to the owner and operator of a fishing vessel for failure to return pacific halibut to the sea with a minimum of injury, discarding rockfish that were required to be retained, failure to record discards in the DFL,  and discarding pacific cod where they were required to be retained.

Pacific Islands

• A Special Agent received a possible SIMP violation from Honolulu Customs and Border Protection regarding an importer who imported sea cucumber intestines, also known as “konowata” from Micronesia through air cargo on a commercial airline.  The agent interviewed the importer who was identified as a resident and grocery store owner in Micronesia temporarily residing in Hawaii due to the FSM travel restrictions.  The intestines were ultimately destined to grocery stores in Portland and Missouri.  No violations were documented.