The federal government on Friday filed a civil enforcement action against Azure Fishery LLC over alleged violations of the federal Clean Water Act.
The complaint, filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Hawaii, alleges “willful discharges of oil” into the ocean offshore of the state from a commercial long-line fishing vessel identified as “Jaxon T,” now known as the “St. Joseph,” according a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s office in Honolulu.
In addition to Azure Fishery, the action was also filed against the company’s managers, Jaxon T’s operator and the vessel’s new owner.
Along with the complaint, the federal government also filed a partial settlement regarding the claims against the two company managers, who, the statement said, agreed to pay $475,000 in civil penalties and reimbursements along with making a commitment for operational improvements and compliance measures for the entire fleet of 25 long-line fishing vessels based in Honolulu.