Alaska Fishermen Charged $254,000 Penalty for Fisheries Violations

November 28, 2006

Release from:
NOAA

NOAA Fisheries Service has assessed a $254,500 civil penalty and permit sanctions against the owner, manager and three captains of a catcher/processor fishing boat operating in Alaskan waters. NOAA is charging these individuals with numerous violations, including: tampering with observer's samples and equipment; failing to provide a safe work area for observers; failing to notify observers prior to bringing fish aboard to allow sampling of the catch; failing to provide reasonable assistance to observers; and interfering with or biasing sampling procedures employed by observers. The charges resulted from a multi-year investigation conducted by special agents in NOAA Fisheries' Office for Law Enforcement.

For more information, read the NOAA news release.