Weekly Highlights - October 11, 2019
Read about this week's enforcement efforts from across the country.
Northeast
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A Special Agent issued a summary settlement to a vessel operator for possessing Bluefin tuna without a permit. The violation was detected during a vessel patrol in the EEZ. The operator was provided with information on how to comply with the highly migratory species.
Southeast
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NOAA GCES notified an Enforcement Officer from Savannah, GA that a NOVA was settled for $13,900.00. The case involved a recreational angler boarded by the Enforcement Officer and caught with shark fins and then subsequently boarded again by the Special Agent and Enforcement Officer the following week with more shark fins and 26 undersized black sea bass hidden on the vessel.
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A Galveston Enforcement Officer reviewed a case package where a recreational vessel was found in possession of ten red snapper during a closed federal season. The Enforcement Officer issued a $1,000 to the vessel operator. The case was referred by TPWD.
West Coast
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An Enforcement Officer completed an investigation into a vessel using midwater trawl gear within the Rockfish Conservation Area without a 2019 trawl Exempted Fishing Permit. It was determined the vessel failed to apply for the 2019 trawl EFP and made five trips into the RCA. GCES issued a NOVA for $2,500.
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An Enforcement Officer completed an investigation into a vessel using midwater trawl gear within the Rockfish Conservation Area without a 2019 trawl Exempted Fishing Permit. It was determined the vessel failed to apply for the 2019 trawl EFP and made five trips into the RCA. GCES issued a NOVA for $2,500.
Pacific Islands
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Three Enforcement Officers completed a Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) patrol aboard the PV F-3503 around the southeast shoreline of the Island of Oahu, Hawaii. During the patrol, the officers made contact with a Hawaii State Department of Land and Natural Resource Officer (JEA partner) who requested assistance in a boarding of an illegally moored sailing vessel. State violations were documented. No other violations were found during the patrol.