Department of Commerce
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration
NOAA Fisheries Service
- Alaska Regional Office

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
1999

SALMON SEIZED FROM HIGH SEAS DRIFTNET VESSEL IDENTIFIED AS ALASKA ORIGIN

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration' National Marine Fisheries Service has determined, on the basis of parasite identification, that sockeye salmon seized from the stateless vessel, YING FA, indicates there is a high probability that these fish are of Western Alaska origin and at least 15% of the fish are definitely from Bristol Bay, according to Dr. Adam Moles, Fisheries Biologist with NOAA's NMFS Auke Bay Laboratory in Juneau, Alaska.

" Based upon the information provided by NOAA Fisheries' Alaska Enforcement Division, the area where the vessel was allegedly conducting illegal large-scale driftnet fishing activities fall within the distributional patterns of Bristol Bay salmon," noted Dr. Michael Dahlberg, Director of the Auke Bay Laboratory, "however, the data collected on migration and distribution on Bristol Bay salmon is over 20 years old and changes in the marine environment may have changed or modified Alaska salmon movements."

Stephen A. Meyer, Special Agent-in-Charge for the Alaska region, stated "the case is still under investigation, but the evidence is compelling that the YING FA conducted a systematic directed fishery for salmon contrary to an international moratorium prohibiting such activity on the high seas."

NOAA Fisheries Regional Administrator, Steven Pennoyer added, "I would like to recognize the efforts of this agency, the U.S. Coast Guard, and Canada in maintaining a strong vigilance against illegal fishing on the high seas. Even though the incidence of illegal driftnet fishing activity remains low and its relative impacts on Alaska salmon difficult to quantify, we remain troubled that such activity continues. Additionally, the data and information regarding distribution of Alaska and other North American origin salmon is antiquated and possibly out-of-date, we need to collect more current information to better ascertain impacts of other activities on our salmon."

The sockeye salmon are currently undergoing additional analysis, including genetic identification, at the Auke Bay Laboratory to validate the initial findings. The salmon seized from the YING FA will be distributed to local charities.