USCG terminates voyage for illegal fishing in Tortugas Ecological Reserve

The Coast Guard and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration terminated the voyage of the 83-foot commercial fishing vessel, Lady Kristie, with three people aboard Thursday after discovering multiple violations near Tortugas Ecological Reserve, the USCG news release said.

Fishing in an ecological reserve violates NOAA regulations.

At approximately 12:30 a.m. the Coast Guard Cutter Isaac Mayo (WPC-1112) crew detected the Lady Kristie within a protected area. The cutter Isaac Mayo crew boarded the vessel and identified the following alleged violations: an inoperable high water bilge alarm, a lack of drills being conducted, fishing inside an ecological reserve and exceeding their tow time restriction of 75 minutes.