Air Station Kodiak Herc Crew Intercepts Boat in Closed Waters

U.S. Coast Guard photo.

Erik Wander/KMXT

The Coast Guard intercepted a Kodiak-based fishing vessel illegally fishing about 24 miles south of King Cove Monday morning. The Shonna Jacole was spotted fishing by the crew of a Coast Guard HC-130 Hercules in the Clubbing Rocks Stellar Sea Lion Rookery, which is designated as a no transit zone.

Coast Guard Petty Officer Charly Hengen (HEN-jin) in Kodiak said the aircraft was launched from Air Station Kodiak and was performing a routine maritime patrol at the time of the incident.

— (Illegal Fishing 1 28 sec. "They sighted a Kodiak … vessel did comply.")

Hengen said the HC-130 was in search of illegal fishing activity when it spotted the vessel. She said the operation that followed went smoothly.

— (Illegal Fishing 2 19 sec. "That’s what we do … worked out very well.")

Hengen said the Coast Guard has referred the matter to the National Marine Fisheries Service in Kodiak, which she said is routine procedure in such a case.

— (Illegal Fishing 3 10 sec. "They’re the ones that … pass it over to them.")

Hengen said the National Marine Fisheries Service will determine if a formal notice of violation, or NOVA, will be issued in the case.

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