The U.S. Coast Guard seized USD 65,000 (EUR 56,180) worth of unreported pollock roe from a catcher-processor vessel during a boarding.
According to the U.S. government, a pre-boarding audit by NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement revealed “major discrepancies” between the catcher-processor vessel Northern Eagle’s production reports and the electronic lawbook. The Northern Eagle is currently operated by American Seafoods, per the company's website.
On 26 March, the crew of the Coast Guard Cutter Waesche boarded the vessel about 15 nautical miles north of Dutch Harbor, Alaska, U.S.A. An investigation revealed that production weight exceeded the reported catch weight by 1,223 metric tons.
"The integrity of fisheries data is paramount for the sustainability of our nation's living marine resources," Waesche Commanding Officer Captain Tyson Scofield said in a release. "This seizure highlights the Coast Guard's commitment to enforcing federal law with our partner agencies to ensure a level playing field for all fishermen who follow the rules. I am extremely proud of the Waesche crew’s dedication and perseverance to complete this multi-day operation."
The crew ultimately seized 5.4 MT, or 11,524 boxes, of pollock roe from the vessel. That’s 241 boxes more than noted in the production report. The pollock roe was secured in a Dutch Harbor cold storage facility.
The boarding also uncovered evidence of another 12.4 MT of underreported pollock roe from a previous trip, valued at USD 150,000 (EUR 129,640)
"As a cooperative enforcement partner, we collaborate closely with the Coast Guard to identify and address suspected and known violations at sea," Benjamin Cheeseman, assistant director of NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement, Alaska Division, said in a release. "The Coast Guard's support was key to uncovering these violations on the water where they occurred, and our partnership remains essential to protecting our nation from those who break the law."
