Department of Commerce
NOAA Fisheries
Office for Law Enforcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 31, 2002

NOAA Fisheries Office for Law Enforcement seizes illegally caught snow crab valued over $750K

Dutch Harbor, AK - Five U.S. fishing vessels were ordered to return to port by the U.S. Coast Guard and are being investigated by NOAA Fisheries Office for Law Enforcement (OLE) for allegedly illegal crabbing within the Russian Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ).

The vessels were ordered to port here by the U.S. Coast Guard after a Coast Guard aircraft and a cutter identified the vessels setting and pulling crab pots on the Russian side of the Maritime Boundary Line.

The alleged illegal crabbing occurred in the latter part of last week in Russian waters off Alaska, and involved vessels from Washington and Alaska.

Over 420,300 pounds of highly-prized Snow crab (aka: Tanner or Opilio crab) were seized from the five vessels by Special Agent Ernie Soper, NOAA Fisheries OLE - Alaskan Division. The estimated value of the crab is over $776,600.

All vessels will be investigated for potential violations of the Lacey Act, which makes it illegal to acquire fish or wildlife in violation of international law.

"It's unusual to have U.S. boats illegally fishing in Russian waters," said Assistant Special Agent in Charge Mike Mahaffey, NOAA Fisheries Office for Law Enforcement - Alaskan Division. "We will proceed with the investigation in coordination with the Coast Guard and GCEL (NOAA's General Council for Enforcement and Litigation)."

NOAA Fisheries is dedicated to protecting and preserving our nation's living marine resources through scientific research, management, enforcement, and the conservation of marine mammals and other protected marine species and their habitats. For more information on NOAA Fisheries Office for Law Enforcement, visit the website at: www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ole.