Department of Commerce
NOAA Fisheries
Office for Law Enforcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 8, 2005

$45,000 PENALTY LEVIED AGAINST PACIFIC STAR RESOURCES, LLC

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has charged the captain of the fishing vessel Pacific Star and the Honolulu, Hawaii, based company Pacific Star Resources, LLC with a $45,000 Notice of Violation and Assessment for violation of international fisheries regulations under the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. NOAA is an agency of the Department of Commerce.

In August 2002, the U.S.-flagged fishing vessel Pacific Star traveled approximately 75 nautical miles into Canada’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in search of squid. The vessel, with its fishing gear deployed and prepared to fish, was spotted by officers on patrol in a Canadian Department of Fisheries and Oceans plane.

The Coastal Fisheries Protection Act of Canada prohibits foreign fishing vessels from entering Canadian fisheries waters for any purpose unless authorized and further requires stowage of fishing gear while in Canadian waters unless specifically permitted to fish.

In accordance with the implementation of the 1990 "Agreement between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States of America on Fisheries Enforcement" (Canada/United States Reciprocal Enforcement Agreement), NOAA Fisheries Service special agents investigate all alleged incursions and violations into Canadian waters.

An inspection of the Pacific Star revealed over 350 cases of squid aboard. The subsequent investigation further revealed that the vessel was not permitted to fish in Canadian waters and had not requested the appropriate clearances for entry or transit in Canadian waters.

“ Canada is very pleased with the cooperation and effort put forward by NOAA Fisheries in Alaska,” said Robert Martinolich, Chief of Operations for the Pacific Region of the Department of Fisheries and Oceans said. “This is another example on how NOAA Fisheries Service and DFO Canada have worked to ensure our respective citizens abide by the laws and regulations for the conservation and management of the living resources of our countries. The Canada/United States Reciprocal Enforcement Agreement has improved our ability and effectiveness to enforce our fisheries laws while respecting each other’s sovereignty.”

To report illegal fishing activities contact the National Marine Fisheries Service’ Enforcement Hot Line 800-853-1964.