USCG Confiscate Catch, Detain Canadian Fishing Vessel

US, Canadian agencies interdict Canadian flagged commercial fishing vessel in US sector of Lake Erie

U.S. Coast Guard personnel, working with members of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources, interdicted a Canadian commercial fishing vessel allegedly fishing illegally on Lake Erie in waters subject to U.S. and Ohio jurisdiction.

Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources personnel contacted Coast Guard Sector Detroit, alerting watchstanders in Sector Detroit’s Command Center of a commercial vessel potentially fishing in U.S./Ohio waters near North Bass Island.

A law enforcement team from Coast Guard Station Marblehead, Ohio, launched aboard a 33-foot Special Purpose Craft-Law Enforcement and determined that the ADCO II was actively engaged in fishing about 160 yards inside U.S. waters.

Aircrews from Coast Guard Air Station Detroit and U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Air and Marine were also on scene. A boatcrew from CBP Air and Marine was also on scene throughout the response.

After determining the vessel’s location, law enforcement personnel boarded the vessel and were granted a statement of no objection to temporarily detain the vessel, fishing gear and any associated catch.

“Partnerships, like the ones shown clearly in this case, aid in the prevention and interdiction of illegal activity,” said Lt. Jillian Lamb, chief of enforcement at Coast Guard Sector Detroit. “Working with state and Canadian agencies helped us to accomplish our shared mission of protecting marine resources.”

ODNR will be the lead agency pursuing any enforcement action against the vessel.