KODIAK, Alaska – A Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules crew sighted a Kodiak-based fishing vessel illegally fishing approximately 24 miles south of King Cove Monday morning in the Clubbing Rocks No Transit Zone engaged in halibut fishing.
The aircraft crew established communications with the Shonna Jacole crew and discovered it was longline fishing for halibut approximately one mile from the Clubbing Rocks Stellar Sea Lion Rookery. This area has a three mile no transit zone around it.
The Hercules crew directed the Shonna Jacole crew to stop fishing, recover their gear and depart the no transit zone. At 1:17 p.m. the vessel complied with the directions and departed the area.
This information has been forwarded to the National Marine Fisheries Service agents in Kodiak, who will determine if a formal Notice of Violation NOVA will be issued.
