A federal jury has found a commercial fisher operating out of the U.S. state of South Carolina guilty of making false statements about the fish he caught and lying to federal agents.
"Those who attempt to circumvent federal fishing regulations and deceive law enforcement will be held accountable. Our marine resources are vital, and we will not tolerate those who prioritize personal gain over sustainable practices and the rule of law,” Acting U.S. Attorney Brook B. Andrews for the District of South Carolina said in a statement. “This conviction underscores the collaborative efforts of NOAA and [the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources] in protecting our fisheries and ensuring fair competition for all."
The commercial fisher at the heart of the investigation is Augustine, Florida, U.S.A. resident Don Rynn, who manages several commercial vessels in South Carolina, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. The government alleges that on 21 March 2023, Rynn directed his son to take one of the vessels out and “catch as many fish as he could,” despite existing quotas. The vessel returned less than a week later with 560 pounds of snowy grouper – nearly three times the legal limit. The vessel also had roughly 450 pounds of tilefish – also more than the legal limit.
Upon return, some of the fish were moved from the original vessel to a second vessel managed by Rynn or transported to another seafood dealer in Georgetown, South Carolina. In his mandatory trip report, Rynn claimed that the original vessel had only fished up to the legal limit, while the remaining fish had been caught by the second vessel. The fish that were sent to Georgetown were ultimately disposed of to avoid suspicion, according to the government, with Rynn telling NOAA agents that the fish had been contaminated by a fuel spill while at sea.
Following a three-day trial in March 2025, a federal jury found Rynn guilty of making false statements on his trip report and later lying to federal agents. Rynn now faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of up to USD 250,000 (EUR 231,000).
“The prosecution of this case and the jury’s verdict emphasizes the importance of holding violators accountable for the harm caused by lying to law enforcement officers and undermining federal fishery regulations. We work closely with our state joint enforcement partners and other federal agencies to detect and identify potential illegal activity related to federal fisheries regulations,” NOAA Office of Law Enforcement Southeast Division Acting Assistant Director Paige Casey said in a statement. “Through our partnerships, we are able to successfully prosecute and convict individuals, such as in this case, who lie to law enforcement officers and who illegally harvest marine resources that could disrupt our fair-trade market.”
