Weekly Highlights - December 18, 2020

Northeast

• An Enforcement Officer issued a MA lobster fishing vessel captain a $500 Summary Settlement for securing his ghost panels with stainless steel hog rings. A Written Warning was also issued for possessing one v-notched female lobster.

Southeast

• Two OLE officers attended the sentencing of Khime Vu before a U.S. District Court Judge in the Southern District of Mississippi.  Khiem Vu was charged in a  Bill of Information with violations of the Lacey Act, underlying Mississippi state law, 16 USC 3372(a)(2)(A).  The Information charged the subject with the illegal sale of shrimp, red grouper, red snapper, crabs, king mackerel, and flounder from the state of Mississippi to various markets in the state of Georgia in violation of the Lacey Act.  Khime Vu was sentenced to six months home confinement, two years’ probation, and a $2000 fine.

• A North Carolina Enforcement Officer observed over 30 commercial bluefin tuna offloads in the Morehead City area.  All vessels were found in compliance with all federal regulations and the HMS Management Division was provided with real time updates so the quota could be closely monitored for a closing determination.

Alaska

• A Special Agent attended the annual Aleutians East Borough Fisherman’s Winter Meeting, which was virtual this year.  Attendees were reminded to renew their federal fisheries permit and check their VMS to be sure it works. 46 people attended the meeting and there were at least 15 agencies represented.

• An Enforcement Officer was notified of an incursion by a fishing vessel.  The captain stated that he had cut through the no transit zone due to an oncoming storm in the Bering Sea.  The captain did not contact NOAA OLE.  He was advised to make contact with NOAA OLE to request future “safety” exemptions.  A written warning will be issued.

West Coast

• Two Enforcement Officers conducted a patrol of the La Jolla Cove and the Children's Pool in La Jolla, CA. These two areas are known for frequent marine mammal haul outs and human interactions. The officers were ensuring the people were maintaining a safe distance while observing the sea lions and seals. The officers made contact with a group of people that were getting too close to a group of seals and provided compliance assistance by educating them on the regulations pertaining to marine mammals. Compliance was achieved and other individuals nearby on the beach also began complying.

Pacific Islands

• An Enforcement Officer received information from a hotline caller about dolphin tour boats and recreational swimmers pursuing pods of dolphins at La Perouse Bay, Maui. The complainant could not identify the vessels or swimmers.

• Three Enforcement Officers conducted a sea patrol along the Kona coastline off the Island of Hawaii. During the patrol, an illegal fish aggregating device (FAD) was located offshore. The FAD was hauled out and cut to prevent the entanglement of Humpback Whale migrations through the area and to prevent further illegal fishing practices.

• During a second patrol along the Kona coastline off the Island of Hawaii, a complainant called regarding a recreational vessel pursuing a whale pod within 100 yards within the Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary. The vessel was located shortly after and contact was made regarding a violation of the Marine Mammal Protection Act. An Enforcement Violation Report was issued to the captain of the vessel.