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Guard has developed with the Center for Marine Conservation 

 (CMC). CMC personnel have served as liaison between witnesses of 

 potential violations and the local Coast Guard units which 

 investigate the cases. The CMC has also published a large amount 

 of information dealing with marine pollution and provided 

 pamphlets, posters, and placards to our units to augment our 

 education efforts during vessel boardings. 



The most significant cases against vessels have been 

 initiated as the result of information received from private 

 citizens. You have already heard about the recent settlement 

 marking the largest fine ever imposed for a discharge of plastic 

 from the vessel REGAL PRINCESS which occurred off the coast of 

 Florida. Without the video tape provided by a private citizen, 

 as well as eyewitness testimony, it would not have been possible 

 for the Department of Justice to successfully prosecute this 

 case. Additionally, a report from a crew member has led to a 

 $150,000 fine against a fishing vessel in Alaska for the 

 discharge of plastic. Investigation, and successful prosecution 

 of this case was a coordinated effort by Coast Guard special 

 agents, the EPA, FBI, and the Department of Justice. 



To further encourage citizen participation, the Coast Guard 

 is expanding the capability of the National Response Center to be 

 able to receive reports of garbage discharges, utilizing the same 

 phone number, 1-800-424-8802, presently in service for the 

 reporting of oil and chemical spills. 



