Kodiak fisherman sentenced to prison for directing illegal transport of crab from Alaska and intercepted in Washington by Fish and Wildlife Police
In early March 2024, WDFW learned of two fishing vessels that were in transit to Puget Sound from Alaska with live Tanner crab and golden king crab in their holds. The Tanner crab were caught in Alaska from an area of known high prevalence of Bitter Crab Disease. This disease is not believed to be present in Washington waters and is ultimately lethal to the crab, but also makes their meat “bitter” and not suitable for market. As such, the crab in transit from Alaska was rejected by buyers in Alaska, and the fishers were transiting to Washington in an attempt to sell the rejected catch here while risking introducing the disease. The Alaska fishers were also guilty of several other related Alaska and federal violations.
WDFW staff from the Puget Sound Shellfish and Seaweed Biosecurity Team and Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) division were concerned with potential disease introductions and limiting the exchange of any of the vessel hold water with Washington state waters, as well as discard of the diseased crab.
A team of six enforcement staff led WDFW’s efforts on the ground, making contact as the vessels were coming into port, coordinating with federal authorities, and ultimately seizing and offloading thousands of pounds of diseased Tanner crab and the golden king crab from the fishing vessels by hand, without the typical heavy equipment to offload, and with disposal options uncertain.
In the meantime, WDFW’s AIS and Puget Sound Shellfish Biosecurity teams determined how to safely dispose of the large volume of Tanner crab, coordinate associated costs, develop new protocols to treat the diseased hold water, consulted with sister agencies, assessed regulatory compliance and potential penalties, and coordinated with enforcement staff on logistics.
Ultimately, this cross-program effort led to a successful outcome, with the seized Tanner crab being received by an industrial compost company who also provided totes, fate of the smaller volume of king crab being handled by WDFW Police, and the vessels being directed to return to Alaska. This response required extensive multi-personnel engagement to protect Washington’s marine waters, local fish and wildlife, as well as ensure consumer safety standards for seafood markets.
“Crabbing is a vital component of Alaska’s fishing industry. Mr. Potter blatantly disregarded state and federal fishing laws and ignored the concerns of other fisherman when he directed his two captains to execute the illegal transport, resulting in the reckless loss of over 5,000 pounds of crab,” said U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska. “The laws protecting this industry help ensure Alaska’s fisheries are sustainable for years to come. My office will continue to work with state and federal law enforcement partners to prosecute federal criminal violations that jeopardize Alaska’s fisheries.”
More information on federal sentencing in this case is available in this Department of Justice news release:
WDFW Police works to protect the public’s safety and to preserve, protect and perpetuate fish, wildlife and ecosystems while providing sustainable fish and wildlife recreational and commercial opportunities.
