Department of Homeland Security
United States Coast Guard
- District 8

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 16, 2005

ILLEGALLY-CAUGHT FISH SEIZED BY U.S. COAST GUARD AND NOAA FISHERIES SERVICE

NEW ORLEANS - Coast Guard crews from Station Grand Isle, La., responded early Wednesday to a call that led to the seizure of more than 2,300 pounds of fish, allegedly caught in Mexican waters.

Using an intelligence report from the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration’s National Marine Fisheries Service, Office for Law Enforcement (OLE), Coast Guard Station Grand Isle intercepted the fishing vessel Sea Queen III, a commercial, longline fishing vessel, near Cocodrie, La. The Sea Queen III allegedly caught fish in Mexico’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) which is a violation of the Lacey Act, subject to penalties of up to $10,000.

Upon boarding the vessel, the Coast Guard found the illegally-caught fish, which included 1,400 pounds of yellowfin tuna and 900 pounds of swordfish. In coordination with OLE special agents, the fish were seized and sold at fair market value for over $7,500, which will be held in escrow until the case is adjudicated. The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries (DWF) also seized a portion of the catch for separate state violations.

The vessel was also found in violation of the Jones Act, which requires U.S. vessels engaged in domestic commerce to be controlled by U.S. citizens.

OLE special agents will investigate the alleged Lacey Act violation, while the La. DWF will investigate the alleged state violations and the Coast Guard will investigate the Jones Act violation.

Coast Guard Station Grand Isle has been working closely with the NOAA Fisheries Office for Law Enforcement to track and interdict fishing vessels in violation of federal fisheries regulations.