PHOTOS AVAILABLE: Coast Guard, partner agencies conduct 3-day enforcement operation along Central Gulf Coast

U.S. Coast Guard sent this bulletin at 04/08/2021 01:35 PM EDT

united states coast guard

 

News Release  

U.S. Coast Guard 8th District Heartland
Contact: 8th District Public Affairs
Office: 504-671-2020
After Hours: 618-225-9008
Eighth District online newsroom

Coast Guard, partner agencies conduct 3-day enforcement operation along Central Gulf Coast

 Coast Guard marine inspectors measure a fishing net March 15, 2021 to ensure the netting and rigging aboard a commercial fishing vessel is in complaince with federal fisheries laws and regulations. A smallboat crew from the Coast Guard Cutter Moray heads back to the cutter after dropping off Coast Guard marine inspectors during a boarding on a commercial fishing vessel March 16, 2021 during a three-day enforcement operation along the Central Gulf Coast.

Editors' Note: Click on images to download high-resolution version.

NEW ORLEANS — The Coast Guard and multiple federal, state and local law enforcement agencies conducted a three-day operation from March 15 to March 17 focused on commercial fisheries along the Central Gulf Coast. 

The multi-agency operation ensured commercial fishing vessels along the Louisiana, Texas and Mississippi Coasts were complying with federal vessel and commercial fishing safety laws and regulations.

“The success of this operation is a direct result of invaluable partnerships with our local, state and federal partners,” said Capt. Will Watson, commander of Coast Guard Sector New Orleans. “Ensuring that we can manage and be good stewards of our nation’s living marine resources is critical to our economy. It is also vital that marine species are provided the protection necessary to help their populations recover to healthy, sustainable levels.”

The three-day operation resulted in 40 vessel boardings, 24 violations — 15 of which were living marine resources violations — and two recreational vessel terminations due to safety violations. One boarding resulted in a bycatch reduction devices violation and red snapper fisheries violations, which Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries assisted with.

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