On Monday, the attorney for the 11 rural fishermen scheduled to appear in Bethel Court for illegal fishing, announced that the trials for the men have been postponed.

The reason cited for the postponment was that the attorney wants to consoliate the 21 cases remaining and bring in Yupik Culture expert Chase Hensel for the fishermen. The other ten fishermen were scheduled to appear in January.

Of the 60 fishermen charged with illegal gear and/or closed water fishing last summer, over half of the fishermen pled to lesser offenses and were fined $250. The rest of the fishermen opted for a judge trial in their cases. Three of those fishermen have already appeared before the judge. Each of those men were found guilty and received a $250 fine as well.

In the three cases already heard by a judge, the fishermen’s attorney, James J. Davis Jr argued that the fishermen were not notified of the rules or restrictions. The Bethel judge said that ignorance of the law was not a valid arguement.