Note: There is a maximum of 200 words per comment. If you wish to post more, please visit our forum.
Ore. fisherman faces hefty fine
Tuesday, September 30, 2008 | No comments posted.
ASTORIA (AP) — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has accused a commercial fisherman of catching almost $75,000 worth of groundfish during three illegal fishing trips in September 2007.
The agency has proposed a $116,000 fine against Dennis Sturgell of Warrenton. Sturgell has 30 days to request a hearing before an administrative law judge.
NOAA alleges that Sturgell violated a federal law that requires fishermen to declare their fishing gear and track their vessel locations with a monitoring system.
Karl Hellberg, a NOAA special agent based in Astoria, says the monitoring system ensures that fishing boats stay out of the Rockfish Conservation Area, which was created to protect overfished species.
Hellberg says fishermen must tell NOAA what gear they’re using because only certain gear-types are allowed to fish in restricted areas.
The agency has proposed a $116,000 fine against Dennis Sturgell of Warrenton. Sturgell has 30 days to request a hearing before an administrative law judge.
NOAA alleges that Sturgell violated a federal law that requires fishermen to declare their fishing gear and track their vessel locations with a monitoring system.
Karl Hellberg, a NOAA special agent based in Astoria, says the monitoring system ensures that fishing boats stay out of the Rockfish Conservation Area, which was created to protect overfished species.
Hellberg says fishermen must tell NOAA what gear they’re using because only certain gear-types are allowed to fish in restricted areas.
The comments below are from users of theworldlink.com and do not necessarily represent the views of The World or Lee Enterprises. Participation Guidelines
Note: There is a maximum of 200 words per comment. If you wish to post more, please visit our forum.
Note: There is a maximum of 200 words per comment. If you wish to post more, please visit our forum.
Not already registered?
The World welcomes your comments about stories, and we encourage a robust dialogue on this site. All comments must meet reasonable standards of decency and civility.
Please follow these basic rules:
- No defamatory comments about individuals or businesses.
- No deliberately false information.
- No obscenity or racially offensive language.
- No harassment, verbal abuse, threats or personal attacks.
- No information that invades another person's privacy.
- No business solicitations or charitable solicitations.
Comments that violate these standards will not be posted. Users with repeated violations may be banned from future posting.Comments will be approved throughout the day during business hours. After hours and weekend comments may not appear until the following business day. It may take a couple of hours before comments are approved.
The World generally does not edit comments, but we reserve the right to edit any comment that does not meet our standards.
Close Guidelines