Navy Curbs Fishing Off San Nicolas : Military: Intrusions during missile tests in the island’s restricted waters may cost violators up to $5,000 in fines and a year in prison.

Upset by intrusions of fishermen into restricted waters around San Nicolas Island, the Navy announced Friday that it will begin issuing citations to anyone caught in the area while missiles are being tested.

Announcement of the citations, which could result in up to a year in prison and a $5,000 fine, drew protests from the leader of a commercial fishermen’s group, who termed it “a strong-arm tactic.”

But Bob Hubbert, spokesman for the Navy Pacific Missile Test Center at Point Mugu, said, “We just don’t want folks to get hurt.”

San Nicolas is an unpopulated island 60 miles southwest of the Ventura County coast. During the past two years, Hubbert said, a 35,000-square-mile area around the island has often been closed to the public so the Navy can test missiles.

Under an agreement with several fishing groups, fishermen must keep in radio contact with the Point Mugu base and stay out the area during Navy operations, Hubbert said. But recently, brazen fishermen have ventured near the island despite instructions to stay away.

“They’re not playing by the rules,” Hubbert said. “We just feel that issuing the citations is now something we have to do. We don’t want people out there when missiles are flying overhead.”

Brian Jenison, president of the Ventura County Commercial Fishermen’s Assn., reacted with anger to the Navy’s announcement.

“It’s a strong-arm tactic,” Jenison said. “They need to develop better communications with the fishermen instead of just slapping some poor guy with a big fine and forcing him to lose his boat, his home and his family just because he can’t afford $5,000.

“It’s excessive,” Jenison said. “Maybe the Iraqis have invaded their control tower over there.”

Hubbert said, “No one has to be fined if they will abide by the agreement.”

According to Hubbert, the Navy has been forced to delay critical operations at a cost of thousands of dollars because of the intrusions.

“We won’t shoot a missile until everyone is out of the area,” he said. “We’re just asking the fishermen to abide by the agreement.

“We want to be good neighbors and we understand the importance of fishing. But we have a formidable task to do out there.”

Jenison suggested that Navy officials meet with fishermen to try to solve the problem diplomatically.

“I’m sure that there are a few hard-nosed guys out there who have violated the rules,” Jenison said. “But the fine is only going to increase tension. We would like a spirit of mutual cooperation.”

Alison Ncceney, a member of the fishermen’s group, said, “I guess the Navy has the right to certain areas. Then again, that area around the island is a valuable resource for fishing.”

San Nicolas Island Restricted Areas Officials announced Friday that they will begin enforcing the restricted area around San Marcos Island during the periods of naval missile testing. Violaters will be subject to fines up to $5,000 and sentences of up to one year in prison.