NOAA Alleges More Wrongdoing by Rafael and Scallop Captains

NEW BEDFORD - NOAA is seeking additional civil penalties and restrictions in the widening wake of Carlos Rafael's overfishing scheme.

The Gloucester Times reports NOAA Fisheries has released a charging document that seeks more monetary damages and restrictions beyond those ordered as part of Rafael's sentencing last year.

NOAA issued the charging documents Wednesday against Rafael, his seafood company, Carlos Seafood Inc., and 28 other businesses related to the "Codfather," including two scallop captains from his fleet.

The new charges allege two of Rafael's captains misreported the amount of scallops harvested by four separate vessels on four occasions in 2013.

NOAA is looking to revoke 38 of Rafael's commercial fishing permits, along with the operating permits issued to the two scallop vessel captains. NOAA is also seeking a total of $983,528 in civil penalties from Rafael.