Homer Alaska - News

Alaska Wildlife Troopers don't mind if you party or fish. Just don't combine the two.

Wildlife troopers want to make an example out of Jeffrey A. Glosser, an Anchorage commercial fishing guide operating out of Anchor Point.

In a July 2009 undercover operation, troopers found that Glosser allowed three clients to pool their halibut catches until they had the maximum amount allowed. The maximum is supposed to be two halibut per person, not a collective total.

The practice, known as party fishing, allows charter clients to go after bigger fish.

Wildlife trooper Sgt. Bernard Chastain said people in the fishing business must remember that deceptive fishing practices will not be tolerated.

"Guides should be aware that we conduct undercover operations throughout the season, and they should act accordingly," Chastain said. "A lot of guides do this because they want to make their clients happy, but party fishing is not legal in Alaska."

At the end of the charter, Glosser did not record the number of fish each client caught, according to troopers. Logbook records of the trip showed each client caught two halibut when in actuality some clients caught more than two and others caught fewer than two, according to investigators.

On April 27, Glosser, 43, pleaded guilty in Kenai District Court to one count of sport fish guide aiding a client in a violation and one count of sport fish guide violating reporting requirements. Glosser was fined $10,000 and had his sport fishing license and sport fish guide license revoked for three years. If he avoids future violations, Glosser will only pay half of the fine and will not have to rescind his license.

Andrew Waite is a reporter for the Peninsula Clarion.