NOAA Fisheries News Releases
NEWS RELEASE
October 23, 2000
Carol Tocco, Public Affairs NMFS
(907) 586-7032
Susan Auer, General Counsel
(907) 586-7414
$19,100 Penalty for Failure to Carry a NMFS Observer
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) Office of General Counsel in Juneau announces that on October 17, 2000, NOAA entered into a settlement agreement with the owner of the F/V ALASKA ROSE (a 116' catcher/processor) to resolve violations of National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS) certified observer coverage requirements. Pursuant to the settlement agreement, the owner admits to the charged violation and accepts a penalty of $19,100.
The violations were discovered on February 15, 1999, during a routine boarding of the F/V ALASKA ROSE by the United States Coast Guard Cutter MELLON. The F/V ALASKA ROSE had been fishing for groundfish with non-pelagic trawl gear for seven days in the Red King Crab Savings Sub-Area without having a NMFS-certified observer on board. According to NMFS' regulation, any catcher/processor or catcher vessel fishing for groundfish in the Red King Crab Savings Sub-Area with non-pelagic trawl gear is required to carry an observer during 100 percent of its fishing days. The case was referred to the NOAA Office of General Counsel for prosecution.
"A vessel owner's or operator's failure to comply with observer requirements undermines the government's ability to effectively manage the federal fisheries in Alaska," said NMFS Special Agent Kevin Heck. "This penalty reflects the significance attributed to these types of violations."
This is the second such penalty that has been assessed by NOAA recently. On May 16, 2000, NOAA announced that Jubilee Fisheries, Inc, the owner of the F/V VAERDAL, paid a penalty of $30,000 for fishing 11 days in the Red King Crab Savings Sub-Area without an observer.
The NMFS-certified groundfish observers play a vital role in providing real time data to NMFS for effective conservation and management of Alaska's federal fishery resources. NMFS, also referred to as NOAA Fisheries, is an agency of the Commerce Department's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The agency conducts scientific research and provides services and products to support fisheries management, fisheries development, trade and industry assistance, enforcement, and protected species and habitat conservation programs.