Russia watch

The following is from a U.S. Coast Guard enforcement report to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting this week in Anchorage.

U.S./Russian Maritime Boundary Line (MBL) Enforcement

During the reporting period, there was medium to high foreign-flagged longline and trawl fishing on the Russian side of the MBL. In the month of June, there were 88 potential FF/V incursions by 13 different Russian fishing vessels detected via electronic means. CGC ALEX HALEY patrolled the MBL in response to this activity, and no further potential incursions were detected. Coast Guard Arctic District patrols the MBL using both C-130 aircraft and surface vessels to deter and detect illegal incursions. No vessels were observed fishing over the line by Coast Guard aircraft or cutters. Coast Guard Arctic District contacted the Russian Border Guard (RBG) about each potential incursion. RBG responded to all reports of potential incursions and indicated that their investigation resulted in administrative penalties for two vessels that crossed the MBL due to Force Majeure but failed to notify the Russian government in accordance with Russian laws. All other potential incursions were noted to be too brief or limited in depth to be confirmed MBL crossings by Russian standards. RBG also indicated that their investigation confirmed no Russian vessels were engaged in fishing actively while transiting in the U.S. EEZ.

Russian fish pirate?

A U.S. Coast Guard enforcement report to the North Pacific Fishery Management Council includes this:

Following an increase of foreign fishing vessel activity in the vicinity of the U.S.-Russia Maritime Boundary Line earlier in May, the Russian F/V Ikhtiolog committed a total of nine incursions into the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone between May 31 and June 3. Based on the vessel's course, speed and duration inside the U.S. EEZ, it was assessed that this vessel was fishing in U.S. waters. As a result, the U.S. Coast Guard increased surface and air presence along the MBL to deter future incursions, including several C-130 flights and the Coast Guard cutter Bertholf patrolling the MBL and issuing the vessel warnings over VHF radio. The Russian Border Guard investigated our report and fined the owner of the vessel for failing to notify the Russian Federation of an MBL crossing. Since these incursions by F/V Ikhtiolog, the Coast Guard has not detected any other incursions along the U.S.-Russia MBL.