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August 26, 2008

Two PA vessels under investigation

Mary Meaux

The owners and operators and two Port Arthur based commercial vessels are facing prosecution for illegal activity.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Law Enforcement is investigating the two separate incidents where commercial vessels reportedly violated federal law.

In one case, the owner and operator of a Port Arthur based vessel were issued three Notice of Violation and Assessments of $24,000 and a 45-day permit sanction.

The alleged incident occurred on July 6. At that time, the federally permitted commercial shrimp trawling vessel was boarded by U.S. Coast Guard and escorted to the dock after federal violations were discovered.

The vessel and operator were cited for shrimping during season closure, violations of the Endangered Species Act as the turtle excluder devices were illegal, for illegal shark finning and disposal of evidence. Approximately 5,000 pounds of white shrimp were confiscated by special agents with NOAA OLE and the proceeds, about $8,000, were retained by the U.S, according to Special Agent Richard Cook, Galveston office.

The second case, which is still pending, reportedly occurred Aug. 5 on a commercially permitted vessel based in Port Arthur. The vessel was cited for fishing while all federal permits were sanctioned. Due to an unpaid NOVA fine in a prior case, all permits associated with the vessel were sanctioned indefinitely.

Officials reportedly found more than 14,000 pounds of Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish, mainly consisting of Amberjack and Vermilion Snapper. The catch was seized and the proceeds in excess of $23,000 were retained by the U.S.

Prosecution on both cases are on-going.

“Unpaid federal fines can lead to additional seizures of catch, property and vessels,” Cook said. “Continual and repeat violators ca also lead t incarceration of operators and crewmembers.”

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