Enforcement Actions

On a weekly basis, we'll post highlights of our enforcement actions here as well as occasional examples of high-interest violation notices.

Weekly Highlights—May 28, 2013

Northwest Division:

• NOAA special agents continued an Endangered Species Act investigation related to the unauthorized construction of three bulkheads adjacent to the Strait of Juan de Fuca shoreline in Washington. Construction of the bulkheads proceeded without a FEMA Floodplain Development Permit or an incidental take statement from NOAA’s Habitat Conservation Division (HCD). A revised statement of effects was prepared by HCD biologists related to the loss of critical habitat for threatened Puget Sound Chinook salmon.
• NOAA enforcement officers conducted a marine mammal patrol along the Oregon Coast. Three dead pinnipeds were examined, and the officers participated in two necropsies. 

Pacific Islands Division:

• A NOAA enforcement officer issued a $1,000 Summary Settlement citation in the to the operator of a Hawaii-based pelagic longline fishing vessel for failing to strategically discard spent bait and offal, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of five Albatross seabirds.

 

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Outer Banks Swordfish Fisherman Charged by NOAA—Jan 28

An Outer Banks swordfish fisherman has been charged by NOAA with multiple fisheries violations over a two-year period. Chris "Chomps" Hanson, captain of the fishing vessel Big Eye and Stanmar Inc., the owner of the fishing vessel Big Eye, have been assessed a $57,500 civil penalty by the NOAA Office of the General Counsel Enforcement Section for failing to carry observers on fishing trips, failing to report logbook data, and falsely submitting a "No Fishing Reporting Form. Read the full story >>.