A Southeast Alaska commercial fisherman has been sentenced to five years' probation, a $15,000 fine, and a worldwide ban on fishing and hunting after pleading guilty to conspiring to illegally harvest halibut in violation of the Lacey Act.
Vincent Jacobson, 52, of Yakutat, was sentenced May 6 in federal court. He had pleaded guilty on Aug. 28, 2025, to one count of Lacey Act conspiracy stemming from a scheme that ran from September 2019 to August 2022.
According to court documents, Jacobson conspired with fellow Yakutat fisherman Jonathan Pavlik, 41, to fraudulently use Individual Fishing Quota (IFQ) permits to commit violations of federal law and regulations. IFQ permits for commercial halibut fishing in Alaskan waters require the permit holder to be aboard a vessel at all times during a fishing trip — including when gear is set and when fish are harvested.
On Aug. 24 and 25, 2022, Pavlik's crew aboard the New Era received halibut harvested by Jacobson's Epic while Pavlik was not aboard either vessel. Pavlik then landed the fish under his IFQ permit, allegedly falsely reporting the vessel of harvest and claiming the halibut was creditable to his IFQ balance. Pavlik allegedly paid Jacobson for the illegally caught fish from both days. Jacobson also participated in two additional fishing trips in 2019 and 2020 involving nearly identical conduct.
U.S. Attorney Michael J. Heyman for the District of Alaska said the sentence carries a clear message for the industry. "In the heart of IFQ season, this sentence should serve as a reminder that there are significant consequences for breaking the laws that help sustain and maintain Alaska's vital fishing industry," Heyman said. "Mr. Jacobson knew the rules and regulations surrounding commercial halibut fishing and used that knowledge to game the system. This conduct is an affront to law abiding commercial fisherman and he now has a federal criminal conviction because of it."
Benjamin Cheeseman, Assistant Director of NOAA's Office of Law Enforcement, Alaska Division, emphasized the agency's commitment to fair enforcement across the fleet. "Protecting the future of Alaska's fisheries requires honest fishing practices, promoting fairness and equity for all industry participants," Cheeseman said. "These sentences ensure lawful stakeholders are given the opportunity to conduct successful business, by sending a powerful message to potential offenders. We remain vigilant in ensuring offenders are deterred, and preserving Alaska's fisheries for our Nation's future."
Pavlik faces four counts of Lacey Act conspiracy, five counts of unlawful sale, and five counts of false labeling under the Lacey Act; his trial has not yet been scheduled. Two other Yakutat-area men — Kyle Dierick, 36, and Michael Babic, 43, of Cordova — each face one count of Lacey Act conspiracy and are also awaiting trial scheduling.
A fifth defendant, Timothy Ross, 58, of Washington, pleaded guilty to one count of Lacey Act conspiracy on Sept. 8, 2025, and was sentenced Dec. 10, 2025, to five years' probation and a $15,000 fine.
The case is being investigated by NOAA Fisheries' Office of Law Enforcement Alaska Division, with assistance from the Alaska Wildlife Troopers. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mac Caille Petursson is prosecuting the case.
