By Karen Robes Meeks
After 80 days patrolling the Pacific Ocean safeguarding against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing activity, crewmembers of US Coast Guard Cutter Mellon (WHEC 717), which included two Canadian fishery officers, came home to Seattle, Wash., last Sunday. This is the second joint operation in 2019 between the US Coast Guard and Fisheries and Oceans, Canada’s Conservation and Protection program.
A priority for the US and Canada, IUU fishing undercuts the global economy of billions of dollars and undermines legitimate fish harvesters in addition to affecting food security.
During the patrol, officers boarded 45 vessels and found 68 potential violations, including improper gear, fishing for sharks without a license, evidence of illegal shark finning.
“IUU fishing is one of the greatest threats to the ocean’s fish stocks,” said Capt. Jonathan Musman, Mellon’s commanding officer. “It was an honor to be on the front lines of enforcement efforts of the distant waters fishing fleets.”