ALCOAST 148/22 - APR 2022 2021 CAPTAIN QUENTIN R. WALSH EXCELLENCE IN LIVING MARINE RESOURCES ENFORCEMENT AWARD WINNER

R 251444Z APR 22 MID600051736808U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 148/22
SSIC 1650
SUBJ: 2021 CAPTAIN QUENTIN R. WALSH EXCELLENCE IN LIVING MARINE
RESOURCES ENFORCEMENT AWARD WINNER
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 071845Z FEB 22/ALCOAST 042/22
1. I am pleased to announce and congratulate LCDR Kristin Caldwell
of PACAREA as the recipient of the 2021 Captain Quentin R.
Walsh Excellence in Living Marine Resources Enforcement Award.
2. As the Living Marine Resource (LMR) Officer for PACAREA,
LCDR Caldwell advanced initiatives in both domestic and
international fisheries with positive strategic and national level
impact. LCDR Caldwell served as the Coast Guard representative to
the U.S. Delegation on three Regional Fisheries Management
Organizations (RFMO), and as co-chair for the North Pacific
Fisheries Council operations working group. In addition to being the
PACAREA principal LMR subject matter expert, LCDR Caldwell
skillfully planned and oversaw more than 30 Illegal, Unreported, and
Unregulated Fishing (IUUF) cutter patrols. This included an 82-day
WMSL deployment, five 45-day WPC expeditionary patrols, and resulted
in presence and operations in 14 EEZs and three high seas pockets.
Partnering with District 17, LCDR Caldwell planned Operation North
Pacific Guard, resulting in 217 vessel sightings, 27 boardings on
foreign flagged vessels, and 42 potential violations. These
violations notably included the discovery of more than 600
undocumented and illegal shark fins. LCDR Caldwell spearheaded and
advocated for the development and execution of a first-of-kind IUUF
operation in the Eastern Pacific in support of Ecuador's concerns
of predatory foreign fishing activity in the vicinity of a UN World
Heritage site. This operation promoted international cooperation
through a joint patrol with the Ecuadorian Navy, resulting in
increased Maritime Domain Awareness through patrolling of 2,900 sq.
NM, over 50 sighting reports, and 6 vessel reports to the RFMO for
IUU vessel listing. Additionally, this operation paved the way for
Operation Southern Shield, creating stronger IUUF cooperation and
joint operations with the countries of Panama, Costa Rica, and
Colombia. LCDR Caldwell garnered Coast Guard support and worked
seamlessly with the Pacific Regional Fisheries Training Center to
create an Eastern Pacific IUUF workshop to ensure Boarding Officers
are trained and ready to conduct the mission. Furthermore, LCDR
Caldwell's preparation of administrative requirements such as the
creation of the vessel inspection list and boarding report form
ensured the Coast Guard met administrative requirements to conduct
boardings and provide an enforcement mechanism to counter IUUF
activity in the Eastern Pacific. LCDR Caldwell's dedication to the
LMR mission and advancing the IUUF Strategic Outlook is commendable.
She continues to work tirelessly to promote targeted, effective, and
intelligence-driven enforcement operations to counter predatory and
irresponsible behaviors, and elevate IUUF as an important pillar of
Great Power Competition.
3. The runner-up for this award goes to LTJG Cecelia Hosley
from USCGC ANGELA MCSHAN for her outstanding efforts executing
and supporting LMR operations in Districts One, Five, and Seven.
4. Honorable mention goes to the following nominees (ordered
alphabetically by rank):
a. BMCM Lawrence Dean, CGC POMPANO
b. BM1 Glenn Hardin, CGC ALEX HALEY
c. BM1 Adam Rice, CGC ISAAC MAYO
d. ME1 Tyrin Kendell, CGC ALERT
e. ME1 Jay Bermudez, SEC HONOLULU
f. ME1 Sean Sanchez, STA BELLINGHAM
g. MK2 Matthew Cavaco, SEC SOUTHEASTERN NEW ENGLAND
h. MK1 Derek Brandon, CGC LAWRENCE LAWSON
i. LTJG John Andres, CGC KEY LARGO
j. LTJG Patrick Crowley, CGC SITKINAK
k. LTJG Scott Ledoux, CGC HICKORY
l. LT Patrick Hanrahan, SEC SAN FRANCISCO
5. The volume of outstanding nominations made selection difficult.
Not all nominees may be aware of their nomination and I strongly
encourage Commands to publicly recognize their accomplishments
and leadership examples in addition to documenting the
accomplishments in their performance evaluations.
6. Bravo Zulu to all the nominees and the many Coast Guard members
who perform this important mission day in and day out. The Coast
Guard is increasingly reliant on the stellar efforts of members
in the face of growing mission demands and limited resourcing.
Your hard work and dedication level the playing field in the $212
billion commercial and recreational fishing industry, and helps
advance efforts to combat IUUF globally.
7. Additional information about the award, including the winner's
award nomination, is available on the COMDT (CG-MLE-4) portal page:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

8. Direct any questions to COMDT (CG-MLE-4) POC, LTJG Aimee Sinks
at (202) 372-2181 or e-mail at Aimee.J.Sinks@uscg.mil
9. RDML Scott W. Clendenin, Assistant Commandant for Response Policy
(CG-5R), sends.
10. Internet release is authorized.

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