Weekly Highlights - September 27, 2019

Northeast

• A $24,798 NOVA was issued to a New Jersey commercial fishing vessel for intentionally using an undersized net.  The respondent admitted to the violation after an observer reported the illegal conduct.
• EOs conducted a patrol on a NOAA patrol vessel focused on recreational ground fish activity and recent Atlantic cod reopening. EOs identified a NH based vessel fishing approximately 11 nm offshore. The vessel was found to be operating as a ground fish charter in the EEZ, without a Federal ground fish charter/head boat permit.

Southeast

• A New Bern, NC Enforcement Officer conducted a patrol of Cedar Island, Marshallberg, Harkers Island, and Beaufort, NC to complete courtesy dockside TED examinations and to provide outreach for the upcoming Fall White Shrimp season in NC. Two fish houses and four commercial docks were visited with numerous questions answered.

Alaska

• An Enforcement Officer accompanied two biologists from PRD collecting tissue samples from a multiple whales. A U.S. Coast Guard MH-60 Jayhawk flew the team to Sitkalidak Island and Deadman Bay, and the biologists took samples from three grey whales. The group flew over several more dead whales, including a humpback. Due to the state of decomposition or high level of bear activity, the team did not land and collect samples from all whales. PRD photographed and noted positions of all whales.

Pacific Islands

• A Special Agent boarded a Taiwanese flagged longline fishing vessel after entering into port. All required permits and fishing gear were all in compliance.  No violations were found.