Enforcement officials with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration apparently had a busy week in Alaska in late December.
The Alaska Division of NOAA’s enforcement branch reported that one enforcement officer completed an investigation into a vessel operator for fishing in a Steller sea lion no transit zone. A settlement for $2,500 was issued. A second enforcement officer completed a similar investigation, which resulted in a $1,000 summary settlement being issued.
A third enforcement officer meanwhile issued two $400 summary settlements to a charter halibut guide and an angler for exceeding the annual limit of halibut. The charter guide had taken the client angler on four charter halibut trips over a nine- day period, NOAA officials said.
NOAA posts highlights of its enforcement action on a weekly basis online at http://www.nmfs.noaa.gov/ole/newsroom/enforcement-actions.html
The reports do not include the names of individuals or companies found to be in violation or the precise location of the illegal activity.
