USCG LMR Enforcement Report September-December 2012

• Objective:• September-December Case Highlights

• New Mandatory Commercial Fishing Vessel Dockside Examination

September-December 2012Case Highlights

Total number of LMR boardings: 105(SEP: 49, OCT: 31, NOV: 25)

• On 21SEP CGC KEY LARGO completed a boarding on a Venezuelan flagged fishing vessel claiming to be fishing approximately 80 miles south of St. Croix, inside the US EEZ boundary. Because there was currently no fishing gear deployed or catch onboard, Sector San Juan, in consultation with NOAA ASAIC of the SE region, decided to complete the boarding and advise the vessel to leave the US EEZ.

• On 12SEP CGC MATINICUS removed an illegally placed Fish Aggregation Device from the Hind Bank Marine Conservation District.

• On 05OCT a Coast Guard small boat conducted a boarding on commercial fishing vessel near Cabo Rojo, PR. While conducting the boarding, the team located 48 deshelled conch and 02 berried lobsters hidden in a compartment. After notifying DNRA, the Coast Guard escorted the F/V into port and DNRA cited the master, and seized the illegal catch.



• On 22OCT, While conducting joint boardings with Boquerón DNRA, STA San Juan boarded a F/V 8 NM west of Mayaguez. During the boarding, the team discovered 3 berried lobsters and 1 undersized lobster. The DNRA official seized the catch and issued the master a fishing violation.

• On 18NOV STA San Juan conducted a boarding on a 24 foot F/V 2 NM southeast of Ceiba, Puerto Rico. The team discovered the F/V’s crew actively fishing, deshelling conch and approximately 60 deshelled conch onboard. DNRA deployed an asset to relieve the Coast Guard of the boarding. DNRA issued the master a warning.


• On 14DEC, CGC LEGARE reported sighting a logger head turtle entangled in a fish net about 10 NM south of Vieques, PR. CGC LEGARE launched their small boat and successfully freed the turtle. CGC LEGARE reported no vessel traffic in the area that would place the turtle in danger.

Mandatory Safety Examination

• As of 16OCT, all commercial fishing vessels that operate more than 3 NM offshore are required to complete a dockside safety examination.

• The examination is free.

• Vessels in compliance are issued Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Decal valid for two years.

• Holding valid decal will expedite boardings.

• Coast Guard inspector will travel to vessel location for exam.

• Currently, Coast Guard is issuing 60 day warnings for non-compliance.


POC : Exams Appointments and Questions for Fishermen

USCG Sector San Juan Commercial Fishing Safety Examiners:

San Juan St. Thomas St. CroixMr. Alfredo Rodriguez Petty Officer Rickie Brewer Petty Officer Robert Davis(787) 289-2376 (340) 776-3497 (340) [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

POC: Regulatory Questions

(CG-5433) Fishing Vessel Safety Division:

Mr. Jack Kemerer(202) [email protected]

• Website Info: www.FishSafe.info

•Questions?

USCG LMR Enforcement Report September-December 2012

Documents

Transcript of USCG LMR Enforcement Report September-December 2012