By THE ALASKA STORY
The crew of the US Coast Guard Cutter Waesche seized more than five metric tons of unreported pollock roe in the Bering Sea last month, uncovering what officials described as significant discrepancies in catch reporting aboard a commercial catcher-processor.
The boarding of the vessel Northern Eagle took place March 26, about 15 nautical miles north of Dutch Harbor, after a pre-boarding audit by NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement flagged inconsistencies between the vessel’s production reports and its electronic logbook. Based on reasonable suspicion of a Living Marine Resources violation, the Coast Guard launched a multi-day boarding and inspection.
According to the Coast Guard, boarding team members obtained the vessel’s logs and worked with NOAA enforcement personnel to analyze the data. Investigators determined the vessel had recorded less catch in its logbook than reflected in production totals. The production weight exceeded the reported catch weight by 1,223 metric tons.
During the operation, the Waesche crew also documented approximately 5.4 metric tons of unreported pollock roe, valued at more than $65,000, which was ultimately seized.
“The integrity of fisheries data is paramount for the sustainability of our nation’s living marine resources,” said Capt. Tyson Scofield, commanding officer of the Waesche. “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 investigation also uncovered evidence tied to a previous voyage, indicating the underreporting and offload of approximately 12.4 metric tons of pollock roe, valued at an estimated $150,000.
At the request of NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement, the Coast Guard boarding team remained aboard the Northern Eagle as it transited to Dutch Harbor. During the offload, the team documented 11,524 boxes of pollock roe, which was 241 boxes more than the 11,283 listed in the vessel’s production report.
“As a cooperative enforcement partner, we collaborate closely with the Coast Guard to identify and address suspected and known violations at sea,” said Benjamin Cheeseman, assistant director of NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement, Alaska Division. “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.”
Rear Adm. Bob Little, commander of the Coast Guard Arctic District, authorized the seizure of the unreported product following the findings. The pollock roe has been secured in a cold storage facility in Dutch Harbor.
The Coast Guard said it will continue working with NOAA Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement as the investigation proceeds and potential enforcement actions are considered.
One thought on “Coast Guard seizes unreported pollock roe near Dutch Harbor after catcher-processor audit reveals discrepancies”
That 1,223 metric tons represets about 2,700,000 pounds of fish from one trip by one vessel. How many more millions of pounds are being caught and not reported, how many pounds are they exceeding the allowable harvest numbers by? Clearly this wasn’t their first time.