11-95-CWS | September 14, 2011
BILOXI, Miss. – The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources’ (MDMR) Marine Patrol was patrolling in federal waters under the Joint Enforcement Agreement (JEA) on Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2011.
Marine Patrol Officers Dwayne Armes, John Grimsley and Leo De George boarded the shrimp vessel Sally Kim IV to check for permits and proper usage of Turtle Excluder Devices (TEDs). Once on board, the officers found that the vessel had no permit for shrimping in federal waters and were in possession of approximately 4,000 pounds of shrimp and two Atlantic Angel sharks, which are a prohibited species.
The vessel was escorted back to safe harbor by Marine Patrol Officer Brian Wallace who was serving as captain for the day patrol. The case will be transferred to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) for judgment.
On Aug. 1, 2001, the MDMR entered into the JEA with the U.S. Department of Commerce NOAA to provide law enforcement of federal regulations in both state and federal waters. The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources is dedicated to enhancing, protecting and conserving marine interests of the state by managing all marine life, public trust wetlands, adjacent uplands and waterfront areas to provide for the optimal commercial, recreational, educational and economic uses of these resources consistent with environmental concerns and social changes. Visit the MDMR online at www.dmr.ms.gov.
Attached Photo: Courtesy of the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources. Caption: The Mississippi Department of Marine Resources’ Marine Patrol seized two endangered Atlantic Angel sharks, which are prohibited to catch.
Contact: Shelly Becker
Phone: 228-523-4051
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