US Coast Guard Seizes 5.4 Metric Tons of Unreported Pollock Roe in Alaska

The U.S. Coast Guard seized approximately 5.4 metric tons of unreported pollock roe from a catcher-processor vessel near Dutch Harbor, Alaska, following the discovery of federal fishing violations.

The seizure took place on March 26, 2026, when the crew of the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Waesche (WMSL 751) boarded the Northern Eagle, a vessel operated by American Seafoods. The boarding occurred approximately 17 miles north of Dutch Harbor.

The operation followed a pre-boarding audit conducted by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Fisheries Office of Law Enforcement. This audit identified significant discrepancies between the electronic logbook of the Northern Eagle and its production reports.

Investigation Findings

According to a Coast Guard press release, logs confirmed that the vessel had recorded a lower catch weight in its logbook than what was listed in the production weight reports. The production weight exceeded the reported catch weight by 1,223 metric tons, which is approximately 2.7 million pounds.

The 5.4 metric tons of pollock roe seized during the boarding are valued at over $65,000. The investigation uncovered evidence from a previous voyage suggesting the underreporting and offloading of another 12.4 metric tons of pollock roe, with an estimated value of $150,000.

This seizure highlights the Coast Guard’s commitment to enforcing federal law with our partner agencies to ensure a level playing field for all fishermen who follow the rules

Capt. Tyson Scofield

The Coast Guard released photographs of the seized product, showing palleted stacks of pollock roe boxes, on April 6, 2026.