| Date: | 01/10/2019 |
|---|---|
| Organization: | Division of Marine Fisheries |
| Docket Number: | CCLP-17470-DM-18 |
- Petitioner: Daniel J. McKiernan, Agency Representative
- Respondent: Ronald Smith
- Presiding Officer: David C. Hoover
Matter addressed violations of state's protected species regulations and lobster trap fishery conservation regulations. This included: (1) failure to remove trap gear from the Large Whale Seasonal Trap Gear Closure; (2) failure to fish buoy lines with compliant weak links at the buoy; (3) abandoning fixed fishing gear within the waters under the jurisdiction of the Commonwealth; (4) failure to affix valid calendar year trap tags to lobster trap; and (5) fishing lobster traps with non-conforming ghost panels. Final Agency Action resulted in the permanent revocation of Smith's Commercial Coastal Lobster Permit and all appurtenant regulated fishery permit endorsements.