Law Enforcement Invokes Maximum Penalties
Fishery News Posted 9/9/02
Stephen Byrne
Law Enforcement Invokes Maximum Penalties on Fishermen
Fisherman Sentenced to 90 Days in Jail and Fined Over $30,000
September 9, 2002
Fishermen caught and convicted of violating fishery regulations face heavy penalties as demonstrated by a recent law enforcement action. Last week, a fishermen from Rhode Island was charged with twenty-nine violations of the rules and regulations governing the sale and handing of summer flounder. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Law Enforcement and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Division of Law Enforcement determined that David I. Iglesias of the F/V Adventurer deliberately exceeded daily catch limits of summer flounder by 8,803 pounds during a 10-day period in May 1999. Specifically, Iglesias violated the state?s fishery laws by taking and/or possessing in one day more than the daily commercial trip limit and failing to notify the Department of Environmental Management at least one hour prior to the offloading of a vessel, which possessed more than 200 pounds of summer flounder. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail, 26 months suspended sentence and fined $32,742.15 in restitution for his violations. He has appealed the state decision. A federal investigation is still pending.
?This is a good example of NOAA law enforcement and a state agency working jointly in an investigation that involves the landing and purchasing of overages of summer flounder,? stated Gino Moro, Special Agent in Charge of Northeast Office. NMFS law enforcement units and the U.S. Coast Guard have recently instituted stricter penalties including severe fines, seizures, lengthy permit sanctions and jail time for fishermen who violate fishery laws.
For more information regarding fishery violations, contact your state law enforcement agency or NOAA Law Enforcement Office (978-281-9213), or visit their
website.
Fishery News Posted 9/9/02
Stephen Byrne
Law Enforcement Invokes Maximum Penalties on Fishermen
Fisherman Sentenced to 90 Days in Jail and Fined Over $30,000
September 9, 2002
Fishermen caught and convicted of violating fishery regulations face heavy penalties as demonstrated by a recent law enforcement action. Last week, a fishermen from Rhode Island was charged with twenty-nine violations of the rules and regulations governing the sale and handing of summer flounder. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Office of Law Enforcement and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, Division of Law Enforcement determined that David I. Iglesias of the F/V Adventurer deliberately exceeded daily catch limits of summer flounder by 8,803 pounds during a 10-day period in May 1999. Specifically, Iglesias violated the state?s fishery laws by taking and/or possessing in one day more than the daily commercial trip limit and failing to notify the Department of Environmental Management at least one hour prior to the offloading of a vessel, which possessed more than 200 pounds of summer flounder. He was sentenced to 90 days in jail, 26 months suspended sentence and fined $32,742.15 in restitution for his violations. He has appealed the state decision. A federal investigation is still pending.
?This is a good example of NOAA law enforcement and a state agency working jointly in an investigation that involves the landing and purchasing of overages of summer flounder,? stated Gino Moro, Special Agent in Charge of Northeast Office. NMFS law enforcement units and the U.S. Coast Guard have recently instituted stricter penalties including severe fines, seizures, lengthy permit sanctions and jail time for fishermen who violate fishery laws.
For more information regarding fishery violations, contact your state law enforcement agency or NOAA Law Enforcement Office (978-281-9213), or visit their
website.
