USCG LMR Enforcement Report SeptemberDecember 2012 Objective SeptemberDecember

USCG LMR Enforcement Report September-December 2012

• Objective: • September-December Case Highlights • New Mandatory Commercial Fishing Vessel Dockside Examination

September-December 2012 Case Highlights Total number of LMR boardings: 105 (SEP: 49, OCT: 31, NOV: 25) • On 21 SEP 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 12 SEP CGC MATINICUS removed an illegally placed Fish Aggregation Device from the Hind Bank Marine Conservation District.

September-December 2012 Case Highlights • On 05 OCT 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.

September-December 2012 Case Highlights • On 22 OCT, 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 18 NOV 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.

September-December 2012 Case Highlights • On 14 DEC, 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 16 OCT, 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.

Mandatory Safety Examination

Mandatory Safety Examination POC : Exams Appointments and Questions for Fishermen USCG Sector San Juan Commercial Fishing Safety Examiners: San Juan Mr. Alfredo Rodriguez (787) 289 -2376 Alfredo. Rodriguez@uscg. mil St. Thomas Petty Officer Rickie Brewer (340) 776 -3497 Rickie. S. Brewer@uscg. mil St. Croix Petty Officer Robert Davis (340) 772 -5557 Robert. L. Davis 1@uscg. mil POC: Regulatory Questions (CG-5433) Fishing Vessel Safety Division: Mr. Jack Kemerer (202) 272 -1249 Jack. A. Kemerer@uscg. mil • Website Info: www. Fish. Safe. info

• Questions?