Fishing vessel 'San Nikunau' at American Samoa. (Photo: Stock File/FIS)

US withdraws one of its claims against Sanford

NEW ZEALAND
Wednesday, August 08, 2012, 01:20 (GMT + 9)

The US Government has withdrawn one of the claims in its US Federal District Court case against Sanford. The US accused the company of illegal discharges and obstruction of justice pertaining to its vessel San Nikunau operating out of American Samoa.

The US has removed a forfeiture claim against Sanford of USD 24 million proceeds of catch covering the period of the allegations, the company informed this week.

Sanford had assured it would "vigorously defend" charges related to San Nikunau. The trial began on 30 July and was estimated to go on for about two weeks; company executives including managing director Eric Barratt were set to testify in the Federal Court in Washington, DC.

The case was brought by the US Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia and by the Environmental Crimes Section of the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice and stems from an investigation by USCG, which had the vessel detained in American Samoa. Sanford had initially faced seven charges, NZ Herald reports.

Criminal charges were filed in January, accusing Sanford’s engine room crew members of failing to properly maintain the vessel's oil record book regarding the management of oily wastes on the vessel during its tuna fishing voyages since at least 2007. Inspectors said they saw crew clearing a bilge by pumping directly overboard without using the oil water separator (OWS).

Sanford was also charged with vicarious liability for the alleged obstruction of the US Coast Guard (USCG) investigation by one of the vessel's crew.

The firm could face a fine of USD 500,000 on each count if convicted.

The San Nikunau is one of the three large-scale freezer tuna purse seiners operated by Sanford in the Pacific Ocean to fish skipjack tuna used for canning, which is usually unloaded and sold to one of the two canneries in Pago Pago, Sanford added. The vessel has been detained since the investigation began in July 2011.

Related article:

- Sanford faces charges at US court

By Natalia Real
editorial@fis.com
www.fis.com

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