Fisherman Greenlaw arrested in Canada

'Perfect Storm' survivor charged

September 29, 2008|Associated Press

ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland - A world-famous fisherman from Maine was arrested last week in Canada, accused of fishing illegally inside Canada's 200-mile limit.

Linda Greenlaw, a commercial fisherman and best-selling author, was led into court in Newfoundland in handcuffs on Friday after her arrest.

Greenlaw, 47, of Isle au Haut, Maine, survived the so-called Perfect Storm of 1991 and was the last person in contact with the Andrea Gail, a swordfish boat from Massachusetts that sank with all hands aboard.

Greenlaw faced a barrage of reporters and camera crews as she made her way from her holding cell to court.

Among the media was an American television crew from Original Productions of Burbank, Calif. They had been on Greenlaw's boat, Sea Hawk, to film an upcoming NBC-TV series when the skipper was arrested Tuesday.

"But we didn't expect this," said one of the crew, who said the yet-to-to-be-named, eight-episode series will feature swordfishing.

Officials contend a fisheries patrol plane spotted Greenlaw's boat fishing inside Canadian waters. Fisheries officers boarded the vessel and arrested Greenlaw.

The boat, escorted by a coast guard vessel, arrived early Friday in St. John's.

Judge Joseph Woodrow released Greenlaw on recognizance with a $10,000 cash deposit. She is due back in court Oct. 27.

Greenlaw is the author of several books about life as a commercial fisherman, including "The Hungry Ocean" and "All Fishermen Are Liars."