Over the summer, members of various U.S. and Canadian maritime agencies conducted four big law enforcement and security-related operations in Puget Sound, the San Juan Islands, and Strait of Juan de Fuca.
Participating agencies included U.S. Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound, Coast Guard Maritime Safety and Security Team 91101, Coast Guard Maritime Security Response Team West, Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Canada Border Services Agency and Department of Fisheries and Oceans.
The joint operations resulted in over 1,000 vessel checks that led to 35 violations issued for safety, illegal fishing, and boating under the influence, according to the USCG.
“Despite the challenges of protecting a vast and geographically diverse region like the Pacific Northwest during the COVID-19 pandemic, the commitment of U.S. and Canadian partners to the continued safety and security of the public, our natural resources, and the economic prosperity of both nations remain resolute,” Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound Commander Capt. Patrick Hilbert said. “These joint operations are a testament to the strength of our shared resolve as we continue to engage and collaborate on important issues moving forward.”