Not only Outer Banks but fishermen from New England and New York were also raised their voice against what they say are excessive fines and overzealous enforcement practices by federal fisheries agents. Sean McKeon, president of the North Carolina Fisheries Association, a commercial fishing lobbying group, informed that nearly 20 fishermen express themselves over two days last week with a team of government investigators.
He further said that it is a good opportunity to get on the record with the proper agencies the abuses that the industry has been subject to for many, many years. He added that when they overreach, when people are treated like common criminals – which we believe they are – something needs to be done.
McKeon opined that enforcement agents with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Marine Fisheries Service – usually called NOAA Fisheries – have intimidated, threatened, bullied, harassed and overtaxed numerous watermen, who fish in Outer Banks waters.
It is told that the state’s congressional delegation requested the U.S. inspector general’s review of the enforcement practices. NOAA Fisheries employs 34 special agents in the Southeast region, stretching from the Virginia-North Carolina line to Florida, the Gulf Coast and the Caribbean, said Tracy Dunn, deputy special agent in charge of the area.
Tracy also said that North Carolina is the only state in the region that NOAA does not have a joint enforcement agreement with. Jeffrey Aiken, owner of Jeffrey’s Seafood in Hatteras village, said that he, his corporation and a fisherman on his boat were charged with shark finning violations. Aiken denies the 2002 allegations but said he did not receive notice of the violation until 2006.
