A Coast Guard H-60 helicopter sighted a trawler allegedly fishing for groundfish in the Rockfish Conservation Area on February 6. A National Oceanographic Atmospheric Agency Fisheries Special Agent aboard the helicopter spotted the fishing vessel Astoria, Ore.-based Sara Frances using bottom trawl gear in this conservation area. Beginning January 1 of this year, fishing for groundfish in this area with bottom trawl gear is prohibited. The Coast Guard pilot contacted the vessel captain and confirmed its position inside the restricted zone. With this information, NOAA Fisheries special agents met the 67-foot fishing vessel when it returned to Warrenton, Ore. Friday. The agents seized approximately 20,000 lbs. of groundfish from the Sara Frances.