Department of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
NOAA Fisheries Service
- Office for Law Enforcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 3, 2005

RECREATIONAL FISHERMAN FINED FOR OCULINA BANK CLOSED AREA VIOLATION

On August 20, 2005, a joint NOAA Fisheries Service – Office for Law Enforcement (OLE) and U.S. Coast Guard patrol within the Oculina Bank Experimental Closed Area netted a 25’ sport fishing vessel fishing within the closed area.

A Coast Guard boat from Station Fort Pierce, Fla. intercepted the vessel over a mile inside the Closed Area. Upon being boarded by an OLE agent and USCG officer, Jeffrey Johnson (owner/operator), admitted to having snapper-grouper onboard. Fishing for or possessing snapper-grouper within the closed area is prohibited.

The Port St. Lucie (FL) fisherman was subsequently assessed a $2,500 civil penalty for possessing snapper-grouper within the Experimental Closed Area. Johnson has 60 days from the date he is notified of this penalty to: pay the penalty, seek to have the assessment modified, or request a hearing before an administrative law judge to deny or contest the charge and the penalty assessed.

Six other sport fishing vessels were checked during the patrol of the closed area, and no other violations were detected. Vessel operators were provided snapper-grouper regulations brochures as part of ongoing OLE outreach and education efforts regarding Oculina Bank regulations.

"As a spawning ground for snapper-grouper species, the Oculina Bank Experimental Closed Area is an important habitat, said Special agent Richard Chesler, OLE – Southeast Division. “Removal of grouper from the area can negatively impact fish stocks both inside and outside of the Oculina Bank Experimental closed area."

Oculina coral (Oculina varicosa), or ivory tree coral, is distributed along the South Atlantic shelf with concentrations occurring off the central-east coast of Florida. The coral provides essential habitat to a complex of fish species.

OLE special agents will be attending the Florida Sportsman Fishing Show at the Central Florida Fairgrounds in Orlando from Nov. 12 – 13. At the show they will have informational brochures and be available to answer questions.

To report illegal fishing activities contact the NOAA Fisheries Service’s Enforcement Hot Line at 800-853-1964.

NOAA’s National Marine Fisheries Service (NOAA Fisheries Service) is dedicated to protecting and preserving our nation’s living marine resources and their habitat through scientific research, management and enforcement. NOAA Fisheries provides effective stewardship of these resources for the benefit of the nation, supporting coastal communities that depend upon them, and helping to provide safe and healthy seafood to consumers and recreational opportunities for the American public. To learn more about NOAA Fisheries, please visit: www.nmfs.noaa.gov.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, an agency of the U.S. Commerce Department, is 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 coastal and marine resources.

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