Weekly Highlights - November 15, 2019

Southeast

• A St. Petersburg, FL Special Agent and Florida FWC investigator interviewed the subject of an alleged illegal charter this week. The Sanibel Island, FL based vessel was boarded at sea by the Florida FWC earlier this year and found to be under charter; the vessel does not hold federal permits. Although the boarding team saw the vessel occupants fishing in federal waters prior to boarding another vessel, the subject vessel stop took place in state waters and the exact location of the fishing could not be determined. The owner/operator of the vessel was informed of federal permit requirements and will ensure that he and his other captains remain in state waters until such time they acquire federal charter permits.

•  Mobile and Panama City Enforcement Officers reviewed a Joint Enforcement Agnecy (JEA) case package documenting a recreational vessel in which the crew were fishing and in possession of reef fish in the Madison Swanson MPA.

• Mobile and Panama City Enforcement Officers reviewed a JEA case package documenting a state licensed charter vessel found in the Gulf of Mexico EEZ without the appropriate federal charter for reef fish permit. The vessel was in possession of reef fish and the passengers provided statements confirming they paid for the trip. A $3,000 summary settlement was sent to the owner/operator.

• A Key West Enforcement Offcer issued a summary settlement in the amount of $650.00 to the captain of a recreational vessel for possession of Red Snapper during the closed season.

Alaska

• An Enforcement Officer issued the operator of a fishing vessel a Summary Settlement, in the amount of $2,564.61, for exceeding the MRA for Pacific Cod by 2,173 pounds, an overage of 25%.

Pacific Islands

• An Enforcement Officer boarded a Hawaii based Longline Fishing Vessel and conducted an investigation regarding a potential observer immersion suit violation.  During the investigation permits, logbooks, VMS, the fishing gear were also inspected.  Said investigation subsequently revealed that the vessel had six immersion suits onboard that were all dated pre-observer placement.  No violations were found during the boarding.