COAST GUARD CREWS SEIZE MORE THAN 10,000 POUNDS OF FISH SUSPECTED TO BE CAUGHT I

February 1, 2006

COAST GUARD CREWS SEIZE MORE THAN 10,000 POUNDS OF FISH SUSPECTED TO BE CAUGHT ILLEGALLY

GRAND ISLE, La.- Crews from Coast Guard Station Grand Isle, La., responded late Thursday to a call that led to the seizure of more than 10,100 pounds of fish from a fishing vessel allegedly engaged in illegal fishing activities, including the use of live bait, a violation of federal fisheries regulations.

Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Chris R. O’Connor, 27, of Baytown, Texas, holds a wahoo today after completing his initial search of the fishing vessel Master Ray here.

O’Connor, a boarding officer from Coast Guard Station Grand Isle, La., boarded the Master Ray and seized more than 10,100 pounds of fish allegedly caught using live bait – a violation of federal fisheries regulations.

Using an intelligence report from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Service Office for Law Enforcement (OLE), a Station Grand Isle crew intercepted the fishing vessel Master Ray, a commercial, longline fishing vessel, near Dulac, La.

Upon boarding the vessel, the Coast Guard found the fish, which included 9,000 pounds of yellowfin tuna, 600 pounds of swordfish, 300 pounds of wahoo and 200 pounds of escolar. In coordination with OLE special agents, the fish were seized and sold at the fair market value of $37,162, which will be held in escrow until the case is adjudicated.

The Coast Guard will conduct the investigation and forward a report to NOAA’s General Counsel for Enforcement and Litigation for potential issuance of civil penalties and permit sanctions.

Coast Guard Station Grand Isle has been working closely with the OLE to track and interdict fishing vessels in violation of federal fisheries regulations.

COAST GUARD CREWS SEIZE MORE THAN 10,000 POUNDS OF FISH SUSPECTED TO BE CAUGHT ILLEGALLY

Coast Guard Petty Officer 3rd Class Chris R. O’Connor, 27, of Baytown, Texas, holds a wahoo today after completing his initial search of the fishing vessel Master Ray here.

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