Alaska Statutes
Article 4. Licensing of Commercial Fishing Crewmembers and Vessels.
Sec. 16.05.722. Strict liability commercial fishing penalties.

(a) A person who without any culpable mental state violates AS 16.05.440 - 16.05.690, or a regulation of the Board of Fisheries or the department governing commercial fishing, is guilty of a violation and upon conviction is punishable by a fine of not more than
(1) $3,000 for a first conviction;
(2) $6,000 for a second conviction or for a subsequent conviction not described in (3) of this subsection; and
(3) $9,000 for a third or subsequent conviction within a 10-year period.
(b) In addition, the court shall order forfeiture of any fish, or its fair market value, taken or retained as a result of the commission of the violation. For purposes of this subsection, it is a rebuttable presumption that all fish found on board a fishing vessel used in or in aid of a violation, or found at the fishing site, were taken or retained in violation of AS 16.05.440 - 16.05.690 or a commercial fisheries regulation of the Board of Fisheries or the department. It is the defendant's burden to show by a preponderance of the evidence that fish on board or at the site were lawfully taken and retained.
(c) A person charged with a violation under this section is entitled to a trial by court but not by jury, and is not entitled to representation at public expense.

Structure Alaska Statutes