Enforcement Actions
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Read the semiannual document that lists enforcement actions taken in each division from July 1, 2012, through December 31, 2012. |
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—April 9, 2013
Northeast Division:
A NOAA special agent responded to a complaint concerning a commercial fishing vessel from Chatham, Mass. The vessel operator conducted fishing operations without a required observer after having received notification for placement. Vessel safety equipment violations also were noted.
Southeast Division:
- NOAA enforcement officers traveled to Grand Isle, La., to perform dockside compliance checks and to perform recreational red snapper patrols in federal waters. The compliance measures were initiated to address discrepancies between the current state and federal recreational fishing regulations dealing with gulf reef fish, primarily red snapper. While the state of Louisiana recently claimed waters located between 3 and 10 nautical miles as state waters, federal law dictates that state waters stop at 3 nautical miles from Louisiana’s shore. Three recreational vessels were issued written warnings for possession of red snapper in federal waters during a closure.
- Defendant Jason Cardinale was sentenced in U.S. District Court in West Palm Beach, Fla., to three years of probation and a $1,000 fine for one felony count of making false statements to NOAA. This investigation involved the submission of fraudulent information by Cardinale to the Southeast Fisheries Science Center in Miami, Fla. According to the federal grand jury’s 12-count indictment of Cardinale in November 2012, Cardinale submitted false No Fishing Activity Reports to NOAA between January 2010 and February 2012, potentially compromising the management of fisheries under NOAA's jurisdiction.
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 >>.
