FLORIDA, USA – Coast Guard Station Key West officials conducted a routine safety inspection of a commercial fishing vessel approximately 12 miles off the Marquesas Keys on Thursday, uncovering the crew’s use of an expired fishing permit.
Collaborating with regional partners, the Coast Guard halted the vessel’s journey due to the possession of 45,000 pounds of pink shrimp without a valid commercial fishing permit.
The vessel is heading back to its homeport in Alabama, where National Marine Fisheries Service representatives will conduct further inquiries with the captain.
The name of the vessel remains confidential as the investigation is ongoing.
The U.S. fisheries industry generates over $240 billion in economic activity annually, with nearly 20 percent of species classified as overfished. In 2022, pink shrimp landings reached 14.5 million pounds, valued at $37 million, according to NOAA Fisheries. The Coast Guard plays a crucial role in enforcing commercial fishing vessel safety regulations, safeguarding both fishermen and environmental laws that protect commercial and endangered species.
