North Carolina Commercial Fisherman Pleads Guilty to Illegally Harvesting and Selling Atlantic Striped Bass
A federal court in North Carolina has seen a guilty plea from James Ralph Craddock, a 71-year-old commercial fisherman from Manns Harbor, North Carolina. Craddock pleaded guilty to federal charges related to the illegal harvest and sale of Atlantic Striped Bass from federal waters off the coast of North Carolina in 2010.
According to information in the public record, in February 2010, a special agent with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) received information that commercial trawlers were illegally fishing for Atlantic Striped Bass in federal waters off the coast of North Carolina. Since 1990, there has been a ban on harvesting Atlantic Striped Bass from the United States’ Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which includes waters located three to 200 miles seaward of the U.S. coastline.
NOAA engaged the assistance of the U.S. Coast Guard, and a single patrol vessel in the area intercepted one of 17 commercial trawlers in the EEZ, the fishing vessel Lady Samaira. The captain later admitted to taking the fish from the EEZ.
Given the other commercial trawlers in the same area, NOAA conducted an analysis of electronic data and written reports from those vessels. Based on its review, NOAA determined that during the North Carolina 20-day ocean trawl season in January/February 2010, Craddock, then Captain of the 74-foot commercial fishing vessel Capt Ralph, harvested over 12,000 pounds of Atlantic Striped Bass.
Craddock faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine. A sentencing hearing has been scheduled for March 27, 2017.
Defendant: James Ralph Craddock
Criminal Charges: Illegally harvesting and selling Atlantic Striped Bass
City and State: Manns Harbor, North Carolina
Date: February 2010
Sentence or Outcome: Pleaded guilty, faces up to 5 years in prison and $250,000 fine
Dollar Amounts: Over 12,000 pounds of Atlantic Striped Bass (valued at approximately $14,000)
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Key Facts
- State: North Carolina
- Category: Public Corruption|White Collar Crime|Environmental Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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