CLEVELAND — A Coast Guard Station Sheboygan, Wis., boatcrew rescued a kayaker after his kayak capsized and he was unable to re-right it this afternoon in Lake Michigan.

The kayaker is a 28-year-old Sheboygan man.  His name is not being released.

The radio watchstander at Coast Guard Station Sheboygan received a call at 1:20 p.m. from a civilian who reported seeing the man in the water, just south of Station Sheboygan.

Prior to launching a boatcrew aboard the station’s 41-foot Utility Boat, the command there had to get a waiver from Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan, their parent command, due to the fact that the on-scene weather exceeded the UTB’s traditional operating parameters.

Traditionally, the UTB is authorized to launch with conditions up to 30-knot winds and 8-foot waves.  On-scene weather at the time was 25-knot winds, but waves of 8-10 feet.

Once authorized to launch, the UTB crew got on scene, about one mile south of Sheboygan’s breakwall, and found the man straddling his partially submerged kayak.

He was wearing a lifejacket and wetsuit.

The boatcrew took the man and his kayak aboard the UTB and transported him back to Station Sheboygan, where he was met by awaiting EMS from the Sheboygan Fire Department.

Although he was only in the 58-degree water an estimated 30 minutes, the man was already showing signs of hypothermia.

Due to the weather conditions, the station’s officer-in-charge, Chief Petty Officer Robert Downs, operated the UTB.  Downs is a qualified surfman, the Coast Guard’s extreme weather coxswains.  Although Station Sheboygan is not considered a “Coast Guard surf station,” one that requires assigned surfmen, Downs maintains this qualification from a previous assignment.

Petty Officer 3rd Class James Myjak, stationed in Sheboygan since July 2010, was also on the UTB crew.  Although he’s been involved in many rescues as a smallboat crewman, Myjak recently qualified as a coxswain, or smallboat operator.  He appreciated the opportunity to watch Downs in action.

“Every time I go out on a case with him, he teaches me some new things that he’s learned throughout his career,” said Myjak.

The Coast Guard is warning Great Lakes mariners to be mindful of an ongoing heavy weather system.  Know your limitations, and that of your craft.

The Coast Guard also recommends that all boaters and paddlers carry a personal locator beacon.  A PLB is a compact device that is clipped to a boater, normally on the lifejacket he or she is wearing.  Once activated in a distress situation, the PLB transmits a 406 MHz signal to the International Cospas-Sarsat Satellite System, which provides distress alert and location data for search and rescue operations around the world.

CLEVELAND — A Coast Guard Station Sheboygan, Wis., boatcrew rescued a kayaker after his kayak capsized and he was unable to re-right it this afternoon in Lake Michigan.

The kayaker is a 28-year-old Sheboygan man.  His name is not being released.

The radio watchstander at Coast Guard Station Sheboygan received a call at 1:20 p.m. from a civilian who reported seeing the man in the water, just south of Station Sheboygan.

Prior to launching a boatcrew aboard the station’s 41-foot Utility Boat, the command there had to get a waiver from Coast Guard Sector Lake Michigan, their parent command, due to the fact that the on-scene weather exceeded the UTB’s traditional operating parameters.

Traditionally, the UTB is authorized to launch with conditions up to 30-knot winds and 8-foot waves.  On-scene weather at the time was 25-knot winds, but waves of 8-10 feet.

Once authorized to launch, the UTB crew got on scene, about one mile south of Sheboygan’s breakwall, and found the man straddling his partially submerged kayak.

He was wearing a lifejacket and wetsuit.

The boatcrew took the man and his kayak aboard the UTB and transported him back to Station Sheboygan, where he was met by awaiting EMS from the Sheboygan Fire Department.

Although he was only in the 58-degree water an estimated 30 minutes, the man was already showing signs of hypothermia.

Due to the weather conditions, the station’s officer-in-charge, Chief Petty Officer Robert Downs, operated the UTB.  Downs is a qualified surfman, the Coast Guard’s extreme weather coxswains.  Although Station Sheboygan is not considered a “Coast Guard surf station,” one that requires assigned surfmen, Downs maintains this qualification from a previous assignment.

Petty Officer 3rd Class James Myjak, stationed in Sheboygan since July 2010, was also on the UTB crew.  Although he’s been involved in many rescues as a smallboat crewman, Myjak recently qualified as a coxswain, or smallboat operator.  He appreciated the opportunity to watch Downs in action.

“Every time I go out on a case with him, he teaches me some new things that he’s learned throughout his career,” said Myjak.

The Coast Guard is warning Great Lakes mariners to be mindful of an ongoing heavy weather system.  Know your limitations, and that of your craft.

The Coast Guard also recommends that all boaters and paddlers carry a personal locator beacon.  A PLB is a compact device that is clipped to a boater, normally on the lifejacket he or she is wearing.  Once activated in a distress situation, the PLB transmits a 406 MHz signal to the International Cospas-Sarsat Satellite System, which provides distress alert and location data for search and rescue operations around the world.

Petty Officer 2^nd Class Matthew Merel has been surfing for 23 years. Many of those years he was surfing competitively near his hometown in Oceanside, Calif.

From the ages of nine to 18, Merel was competing in surfing competitions every weekend. He felt a lot of pressure from family, friends and many others to the point of becoming burnt out. He was tired of competing and just wanted to surf.

“I learned how to surf when I was five years old,” said Merel. “When I rode my first wave it was the coolest and most pure feeling in the world. I knew right then, even as a five-year-old, that I was hooked for the rest of my life.”

Merel is a machinery technician at Coast Guard Station Bodega Bay. He joined the Coast Guard in part as an outlet to get away from competitive surfing. He needed and wanted to try something new, so he decided to mix two of his interests, mechanical work and water, into one new experience. Now in Bodega Bay he surfs in a whole new way, as a crewmember and engineer at the surf station.

But even here, stress and burnout still comes with the job. With search and rescue being the station’s predominant mission, stress becomes an important factor for Merel and his fellow crewmembers.

Every case is different in Bodega Bay. Every decision made could mean the difference between life and death.  This huge responsibility can weigh heavily on crew members, which creates a tremendous amount of stress.

“Being a rescuer is inherently dangerous and therefore very stressful both physically and mentally,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Aaron Bretz, officer in-charge Station Bodega Bay. “The most important job I have as an OINC is to take care of the crew I am entrusted with.”

“Commands can always find a reason to keep somebody around the unit, but we have to balance the needs of our unit with the needs of our people,” said Bretz. “By me granting liberty on time and granting leave as much as possible I show respect to my shipmates.”

Whether on duty, liberty or leave Coast Guardsmen know they represent the Coast Guard in and out of uniform. This is especially true in small communities like Bodega Bay where the population totals less than 1,000 people. So when liberty or leave is granted to the 30 crewmembers stationed in Bodega Bay, it’s easy to be noticed for the good and bad.

According to Bretz, many of Coast Guardsmen’s troubles occur off duty, so it becomes important how each crewmember spend their off-duty time wisely and trouble-free.

Just like Merel’s surfing. Which is about all he does when not at work.

“As soon as liberty is granted, I am off looking at the waves,” said Merel.

For Merel, just getting out in the water makes for a better day.

“Surfing is always the one thing I want to be doing,” said Merel. “Even if you go out and the waves are a mess and they aren’t breaking like you want them to – catching that one wave makes it all worth it.”

“It would be one thing for him to be out there de-stressing by himself, but he shows his leadership as a petty officer by inviting the younger members of the crew to go surfing with him,” said Petty Officer 1^st Class Zachary Adams, engineering officer, Station Bodega Bay.

“The younger crewmembers come in, usually from boot camp, looking to fit in and prove themselves to the more established crewmembers,” said Adams. “Sometimes they try to do this by the wrong means, which makes it all that more important for the petty officers to take the younger guys under their wings on and off duty.”

“Many of our crewmembers at this unit are not married, so their fellow crewmembers become the closest thing to family as they get,” said Bretz. “My family is the most important thing to me, and I try to spend as much time with them outside of work as I can. Not everybody has that release of immediate family nearby, so the crew becomes just that.”

Merel isn’t the only one at Bodega Bay that takes extra-curricular activities seriously. Adams, Merel’s supervisor, is an award winning bass fisherman. The awards and trophies he has won are proudly displayed in his office.

Petty Officer 2^nd Class James Brady is always neck deep into motorcycle talk on his off hours. He is a California state qualified motorcycle safety instructor and is a member of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. He spends some of his off duty time teaching safety classes at Coast Guard Training Center Petaluma.

Wesley Sedlacek, a 2^nd class petty officer, takes to the woods and hills in nearby Santa Rosa as often as time permits, so he can spin his new mountain bike up and down the various trails. He plans and organizes several bike trips with his fellow crewmembers, so they can enjoy their time off as well.

Petty Officer 2^nd Class Ross Ellis finds his joy organizing community service projects. He recently organized a flag football charity event to benefit the “Wounded Warriors Foundation.”

Meanwhile, the rest of the crew dabble in martial arts, golf and bowling. All the crewmembers strive to share all their different hobbies and interests with one another. Adams jokingly claims that Brady has started the Bodega Bay Biker Gang and has even almost convinced Bretz to purchase a motorcycle, so he can join in on the bike rides along the windy roads of coastal California.

Bretz points out that the most rewarding part is seeing his crew become successful at what they enjoy doing best. It helps achieve the work-life balance they need to effectively handle the stresses of their primary job in the Coast Guard.  .

Most recently, Merel’s supervisors granted permissive orders for him to compete in the Point Mugu surf competition the last three years. Merel rewarded his command’s graciousness by proudly representing the station and the Coast Guard by winning the military division three years in a row. This year he even competed outside the military division and finished fifth in the men’s open division.

“I have only occasionally competed in the last 10 years,” said Merel. “I competed once on the East Coast in 2007 and for the last three years at Point Mugu.”

Prior to the 2009 Point Mugu competition, Merel hadn’t surfed at all for more than a year. His command knew and took note of his surfing prowess through word of mouth.

“I didn’t and don’t talk about surfing very often, but they took notice and encouraged me to compete that first time in 2009 and have continued to support my hobby,” said Merel. “It is amazing to me how supportive they are of my and the rest of the crews extra-curricular activities. I know I wouldn’t be as happy here as I am without their support.”

The variety of extra-curricular activities taken on by Station Bodega Bay’s crew to keep themselves mentally engaged and to achieve a work-life balance exemplifies 11th District Commander Rear Adm. Joseph “Pepe” Castillo’s tenet of “have fun, stay safe and get the job done.”  This is a prime example where a supportive command cares for the best interests of their crew and that translates into a healthy and safe environment.

Petty Officer 2^nd Class Matthew Merel has been surfing for 23 years. Many of those years he was surfing competitively near his hometown in Oceanside, Calif.

From the ages of nine to 18, Merel was competing in surfing competitions every weekend. He felt a lot of pressure from family, friends and many others to the point of becoming burnt out. He was tired of competing and just wanted to surf.

“I learned how to surf when I was five years old,” said Merel. “When I rode my first wave it was the coolest and most pure feeling in the world. I knew right then, even as a five-year-old, that I was hooked for the rest of my life.”

Merel is a machinery technician at Coast Guard Station Bodega Bay. He joined the Coast Guard in part as an outlet to get away from competitive surfing. He needed and wanted to try something new, so he decided to mix two of his interests, mechanical work and water, into one new experience. Now in Bodega Bay he surfs in a whole new way, as a crewmember and engineer at the surf station.

But even here, stress and burnout still comes with the job. With search and rescue being the station’s predominant mission, stress becomes an important factor for Merel and his fellow crewmembers.

Every case is different in Bodega Bay. Every decision made could mean the difference between life and death.  This huge responsibility can weigh heavily on crew members, which creates a tremendous amount of stress.

“Being a rescuer is inherently dangerous and therefore very stressful both physically and mentally,” said Senior Chief Petty Officer Aaron Bretz, officer in-charge Station Bodega Bay. “The most important job I have as an OINC is to take care of the crew I am entrusted with.”

“Commands can always find a reason to keep somebody around the unit, but we have to balance the needs of our unit with the needs of our people,” said Bretz. “By me granting liberty on time and granting leave as much as possible I show respect to my shipmates.”

Whether on duty, liberty or leave Coast Guardsmen know they represent the Coast Guard in and out of uniform. This is especially true in small communities like Bodega Bay where the population totals less than 1,000 people. So when liberty or leave is granted to the 30 crewmembers stationed in Bodega Bay, it’s easy to be noticed for the good and bad.

According to Bretz, many of Coast Guardsmen’s troubles occur off duty, so it becomes important how each crewmember spend their off-duty time wisely and trouble-free.

Just like Merel’s surfing. Which is about all he does when not at work.

“As soon as liberty is granted, I am off looking at the waves,” said Merel.

For Merel, just getting out in the water makes for a better day.

“Surfing is always the one thing I want to be doing,” said Merel. “Even if you go out and the waves are a mess and they aren’t breaking like you want them to – catching that one wave makes it all worth it.”

“It would be one thing for him to be out there de-stressing by himself, but he shows his leadership as a petty officer by inviting the younger members of the crew to go surfing with him,” said Petty Officer 1^st Class Zachary Adams, engineering officer, Station Bodega Bay.

“The younger crewmembers come in, usually from boot camp, looking to fit in and prove themselves to the more established crewmembers,” said Adams. “Sometimes they try to do this by the wrong means, which makes it all that more important for the petty officers to take the younger guys under their wings on and off duty.”

“Many of our crewmembers at this unit are not married, so their fellow crewmembers become the closest thing to family as they get,” said Bretz. “My family is the most important thing to me, and I try to spend as much time with them outside of work as I can. Not everybody has that release of immediate family nearby, so the crew becomes just that.”

Merel isn’t the only one at Bodega Bay that takes extra-curricular activities seriously. Adams, Merel’s supervisor, is an award winning bass fisherman. The awards and trophies he has won are proudly displayed in his office.

Petty Officer 2^nd Class James Brady is always neck deep into motorcycle talk on his off hours. He is a California state qualified motorcycle safety instructor and is a member of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation. He spends some of his off duty time teaching safety classes at Coast Guard Training Center Petaluma.

Wesley Sedlacek, a 2^nd class petty officer, takes to the woods and hills in nearby Santa Rosa as often as time permits, so he can spin his new mountain bike up and down the various trails. He plans and organizes several bike trips with his fellow crewmembers, so they can enjoy their time off as well.

Petty Officer 2^nd Class Ross Ellis finds his joy organizing community service projects. He recently organized a flag football charity event to benefit the “Wounded Warriors Foundation.”

Meanwhile, the rest of the crew dabble in martial arts, golf and bowling. All the crewmembers strive to share all their different hobbies and interests with one another. Adams jokingly claims that Brady has started the Bodega Bay Biker Gang and has even almost convinced Bretz to purchase a motorcycle, so he can join in on the bike rides along the windy roads of coastal California.

Bretz points out that the most rewarding part is seeing his crew become successful at what they enjoy doing best. It helps achieve the work-life balance they need to effectively handle the stresses of their primary job in the Coast Guard.  .

Most recently, Merel’s supervisors granted permissive orders for him to compete in the Point Mugu surf competition the last three years. Merel rewarded his command’s graciousness by proudly representing the station and the Coast Guard by winning the military division three years in a row. This year he even competed outside the military division and finished fifth in the men’s open division.

“I have only occasionally competed in the last 10 years,” said Merel. “I competed once on the East Coast in 2007 and for the last three years at Point Mugu.”

Prior to the 2009 Point Mugu competition, Merel hadn’t surfed at all for more than a year. His command knew and took note of his surfing prowess through word of mouth.

“I didn’t and don’t talk about surfing very often, but they took notice and encouraged me to compete that first time in 2009 and have continued to support my hobby,” said Merel. “It is amazing to me how supportive they are of my and the rest of the crews extra-curricular activities. I know I wouldn’t be as happy here as I am without their support.”

The variety of extra-curricular activities taken on by Station Bodega Bay’s crew to keep themselves mentally engaged and to achieve a work-life balance exemplifies 11th District Commander Rear Adm. Joseph “Pepe” Castillo’s tenet of “have fun, stay safe and get the job done.”  This is a prime example where a supportive command cares for the best interests of their crew and that translates into a healthy and safe environment.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The U.S. Coast Guard announced Friday that, in cooperation with federal and international partners, it has seized a fishing vessel and crew suspected of large-scale illegal high-seas drift net fishing in the North Pacific Ocean and is delivering them to the Alaska Division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Law Enforcement for the investigation.

Renegade large-scale high-seas drift net fishing indiscriminately kills massive amounts of fish and other marine life such as whales and turtles by means of enormous nets suspended for miles in open water. The practice is universally condemned and is a significant threat to ocean ecosystems and to the food and economic security of nations that rely on fishery resources. 

Acting on vessel sighting information provided by a maritime patrol airplane from the Fisheries Agency of Japan, Sept. 7, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro launched its MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and crew and located the fishing vessel Bangun Perkasa with 22 fishermen aboard, approximately 2,600 miles southwest of Kodiak, Alaska.

The Bangun Perkasa’s crew reportedly abandoned their fishing nets and attempted to leave the area once they spotted the helicopter flying above them.  The vessel was determined to be operating without valid flag state registration, and seized as a stateless vessel for violations of U.S. law.  A Munro boarding team determined the vessel had more than 10 miles of drift net, 30 tons of squid and approximately 30 shark carcasses aboard. They retrieved the abandoned net and began the lengthy escort toward Dutch Harbor, Alaska.

During the transit, the Coast Guard boarding team discovered rats aboard.  The Coast Guard understands the serious ramifications that may occur if an invasive species is introduced to the local ecosystem; therefore, the Coast Guard is working closely with state, local, tribal, and agency partners to ensure all precautions and procedures are being followed to mitigate the rat infestation aboard the Bangun Perkasa before it will be allowed into port.

NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement will take the case from the Coast Guard for further investigation into illegal fishing activities by this and any related vessels, as well as into those behind and profiting from this unlawful activity. Once the investigation is completed, NOAA will forward its findings to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

“The seizure of the Bangun Perkasa highlights how international cooperation along with U.S. Coast Guard high endurance cutters can detect, monitor, and interdict high-seas drift net fishing vessels,” said Capt. Gregory Sanial, 17th Coast Guard District chief of enforcement.  “This method of fishing is illegal, despicable and shows complete disregard for the world’s ecosystem, and the joint effort of the many Pacific nations shows our dedication to ending this barbaric practice, enforcing maritime law and being good stewards of the environment.”

“We will conduct a thorough investigation of this case and continue our work to prevent high-seas drift net fishing, which is globally recognized as an indiscriminate fishing practice that kills marine mammals, sea birds, sharks and fish,” said Eric Schwaab, NOAA’s assistant administrator for Fisheries. “NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement in Alaska continues to combat this illegal fishing with the help of Canada, Russia, Japan, Korea and China, our international partners in the North Pacific.”

“This incident reaffirms the need for the United States to continue to work with other nations to ensure respect for international fishing rules,” said Ambassador David Balton, the U.S. Department of State’s deputy assistant secretary for Oceans and Fisheries. “I commend the U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies for their efforts in detecting this apparent violation of such rules and in taking decisive action in response.”

The Coast Guard, NOAA, and Department of State participate in international cooperative efforts to achieve U.S. goals and objectives for the sustainable management of living marine resources, as evidenced in the recent signing of a joint statement of commitment between the U.S. and European Union to cooperate in efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.  Similarly, Japan is a key partner in efforts to fight IUU fishing.  Together, the United States and its partners exchange information on IUU activities, support the adoption of effective management measures in regional and international organizations to combat IUU fishing, and promote tools that prevent IUU operators from benefiting economically from their illegal activities.

“IUU fishing is one of the most serious threats to American fishing jobs and fishing communities, as well as to the health of the world’s oceans,” said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “This multi-national, multi-agency action and investigation demonstrates the resolve of the United States to work closely with international partners to combat IUU fishing. We will continue this investigation to identify others who may be profiting from illegal activities.”

As the only U.S. agency with the combination of a high seas ship and aircraft fleet, and the legal authority to project law enforcement presence throughout the 3.36 million square mile U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone and in areas of the high seas vital to U.S. interests, the U.S. Coast Guard is the lead U.S. agency for at-sea enforcement of living marine resource laws in addition to providing maritime security and safety.

“This case demonstrates how our cutters and crews allow the United States to maintain constant vigil far from the U.S. mainland and reflects the value of having a maritime service that can protect US interests including the environment, security and safety regionally and globally,” said Rear Adm. Cari Thomas, the Coast Guard director of response policy. “Our high endurance cutters routinely operate from South America to the Bering Sea conducting alien migrant interdiction operations, domestic fisheries protection, search and rescue, counter-narcotics and homeland security operations for extended periods of time. The Munro, and cutters like it, are more than 40 years old and slated for replacement. National Security Cutters that are faster, better equipped, more durable, safer and more efficient than their predecessor, will continue to ensure U.S. interests are protected today and for decades to come.”

ANCHORAGE, Alaska — The U.S. Coast Guard announced Friday that, in cooperation with federal and international partners, it has seized a fishing vessel and crew suspected of large-scale illegal high-seas drift net fishing in the North Pacific Ocean and is delivering them to the Alaska Division of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office of Law Enforcement for the investigation.

Renegade large-scale high-seas drift net fishing indiscriminately kills massive amounts of fish and other marine life such as whales and turtles by means of enormous nets suspended for miles in open water. The practice is universally condemned and is a significant threat to ocean ecosystems and to the food and economic security of nations that rely on fishery resources. 

Acting on vessel sighting information provided by a maritime patrol airplane from the Fisheries Agency of Japan, Sept. 7, the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Munro launched its MH-65 Dolphin helicopter and crew and located the fishing vessel Bangun Perkasa with 22 fishermen aboard, approximately 2,600 miles southwest of Kodiak, Alaska.

The Bangun Perkasa’s crew reportedly abandoned their fishing nets and attempted to leave the area once they spotted the helicopter flying above them.  The vessel was determined to be operating without valid flag state registration, and seized as a stateless vessel for violations of U.S. law.  A Munro boarding team determined the vessel had more than 10 miles of drift net, 30 tons of squid and approximately 30 shark carcasses aboard. They retrieved the abandoned net and began the lengthy escort toward Dutch Harbor, Alaska.

During the transit, the Coast Guard boarding team discovered rats aboard.  The Coast Guard understands the serious ramifications that may occur if an invasive species is introduced to the local ecosystem; therefore, the Coast Guard is working closely with state, local, tribal, and agency partners to ensure all precautions and procedures are being followed to mitigate the rat infestation aboard the Bangun Perkasa before it will be allowed into port.

NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement will take the case from the Coast Guard for further investigation into illegal fishing activities by this and any related vessels, as well as into those behind and profiting from this unlawful activity. Once the investigation is completed, NOAA will forward its findings to the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

“The seizure of the Bangun Perkasa highlights how international cooperation along with U.S. Coast Guard high endurance cutters can detect, monitor, and interdict high-seas drift net fishing vessels,” said Capt. Gregory Sanial, 17th Coast Guard District chief of enforcement.  “This method of fishing is illegal, despicable and shows complete disregard for the world’s ecosystem, and the joint effort of the many Pacific nations shows our dedication to ending this barbaric practice, enforcing maritime law and being good stewards of the environment.”

“We will conduct a thorough investigation of this case and continue our work to prevent high-seas drift net fishing, which is globally recognized as an indiscriminate fishing practice that kills marine mammals, sea birds, sharks and fish,” said Eric Schwaab, NOAA’s assistant administrator for Fisheries. “NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement in Alaska continues to combat this illegal fishing with the help of Canada, Russia, Japan, Korea and China, our international partners in the North Pacific.”

“This incident reaffirms the need for the United States to continue to work with other nations to ensure respect for international fishing rules,” said Ambassador David Balton, the U.S. Department of State’s deputy assistant secretary for Oceans and Fisheries. “I commend the U.S. Coast Guard and other agencies for their efforts in detecting this apparent violation of such rules and in taking decisive action in response.”

The Coast Guard, NOAA, and Department of State participate in international cooperative efforts to achieve U.S. goals and objectives for the sustainable management of living marine resources, as evidenced in the recent signing of a joint statement of commitment between the U.S. and European Union to cooperate in efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing.  Similarly, Japan is a key partner in efforts to fight IUU fishing.  Together, the United States and its partners exchange information on IUU activities, support the adoption of effective management measures in regional and international organizations to combat IUU fishing, and promote tools that prevent IUU operators from benefiting economically from their illegal activities.

“IUU fishing is one of the most serious threats to American fishing jobs and fishing communities, as well as to the health of the world’s oceans,” said Jane Lubchenco, Ph.D., undersecretary of commerce for oceans and atmosphere and NOAA administrator. “This multi-national, multi-agency action and investigation demonstrates the resolve of the United States to work closely with international partners to combat IUU fishing. We will continue this investigation to identify others who may be profiting from illegal activities.”

As the only U.S. agency with the combination of a high seas ship and aircraft fleet, and the legal authority to project law enforcement presence throughout the 3.36 million square mile U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone and in areas of the high seas vital to U.S. interests, the U.S. Coast Guard is the lead U.S. agency for at-sea enforcement of living marine resource laws in addition to providing maritime security and safety.

“This case demonstrates how our cutters and crews allow the United States to maintain constant vigil far from the U.S. mainland and reflects the value of having a maritime service that can protect US interests including the environment, security and safety regionally and globally,” said Rear Adm. Cari Thomas, the Coast Guard director of response policy. “Our high endurance cutters routinely operate from South America to the Bering Sea conducting alien migrant interdiction operations, domestic fisheries protection, search and rescue, counter-narcotics and homeland security operations for extended periods of time. The Munro, and cutters like it, are more than 40 years old and slated for replacement. National Security Cutters that are faster, better equipped, more durable, safer and more efficient than their predecessor, will continue to ensure U.S. interests are protected today and for decades to come.”