Department of Commerce
NOAA Fisheries
-Alaska Regional Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 28, 2000

Feds Charge Chignik Lagoon Man for Taking Endangered Sea Lions

Anchorage, Alaska -- 38-year old Chignik Lagoon, Alaska resident Stanley Roy Pedersen, was arraigned Tuesday, November 28, 2000, in United States District Court in Anchorage after having been indicted by a federal grand jury earlier this month on charges stemming from taking endangered Steller sea lions near Chignik, Alaska.

Pedersen is charged in Count 3 of the indictment with illegally taking an endangered species, Steller sea lions, during a period between July and September of 1999. Steller sea lions are listed as an endangered species in large areas of Alaskan waters, including the area where Pedersen is alleged to have illegally taken them. He is also charged in Count 1 of the indictment with being a felon in possession of a firearm (a 12 gauge pump action shotgun) and in Count 2 with being a prohibited person in possession of a firearm as the result of having sustained a conviction for a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence in 1997. Count 4 of the indictment seeks the forfeiture of Pedersen's boat, the Fishing Vessel (F/V) KAYLEE, which allegedly was used to aid in the Endangered Species Act violation.

Pedersen faces up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine for each of Counts 1 and 2, and one year in prison and a $100,000 fine for Count 3. The investigation of this case was conducted by special agents of the National Marine Fisheries Service.

NOAA Fisheries is dedicated to protecting and preserving our nation's living marine resources, and the habitat on which they depend, including the sustainable use of fishery resources through scientific research, management and enforcement.

NOAA is also dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation's climate and marine resources.

NOAA Fisheries is dedicated to protecting and preserving our nation's living marine resources, and the habitat on which they depend, including the sustainable use of fishery resources through scientific research, management and enforcement.

NOAA is also dedicated to enhancing economic security and national safety through the prediction and research of weather and climate-related events and providing environmental stewardship of our nation's climate and marine resources.