67 Summer 2025 Proceedings Staff/Training LT Brian Maffucci Sector Guam U.S. Coast Guard In the Pacific, where marine life sustains millions, the battle against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing across a 1.9 million square nautical mile area of responsibility stands as a critical mission for global sustainability. The creation of the IUU fishing operational planner position at Forces Micronesia/ Sector Guam (FM/SG) marked a shift in the Coast Guard’s approach to this challenge. At the forefront of this effort is LT Brian Maffucci, who stepped into the role in July 2022, bringing strategic oversight, international collaboration, and operational ingenuity to the job. In this role he strengthened maritime domain aware- ness and fostered international partnerships when he leveraged his foreign disclosure representative authority to release critical location data to the Palauan govern- ment. A Coast Guard aircrew from Air Station Barbers Point, Hawaii, had spotted more than 100 fish aggregat- ing devices, or tools often used to illegally attract fish. Maffucci’s actions enhanced Palau’s ability to monitor and protect its waters. During a visit by the Korea Coast Guard, he provided more than 75 cadets with presentation highlighting IUU fishing trends, U.S. strategies, and the value of bilateral agreements. Following the visit, Maffucci conducted a video interview on the importance of international part- nerships and global fish stocks that is now used as train- ing material by the Korea Coast Guard. Maffucci is also one of two U.S. Coast Guard repre- sentatives on the Mariana Trench Monument Advisory Council where his contributions help protect an iconic natural wonder, ensuring the Coast Guard’s mission aligns with global environmental goals. Enlisting in 2008, the Point Pleasant, New Jersey, native’s first assignment was at a motor lifeboat sta- tion in Bodega Bay, California, before he transitioned to intelligence roles and earned a master’s degree from the National Intelligence University. He was commissioned in 2015 and has earned two Joint Service Commendation Medals and two Coast Guard Commendation Medals. He is married to Air Force Capt. Carmen D’Arminio. Operational PeTTy Officer 2nd cLass TrevOr aBBO CGC Hawk Throughout 2024, Petty Officer 2nd Class Trevor Abbo, a machinery technician, was instrumental in safeguarding U.S. maritime sovereignty by consistently upholding the laws and regulations that protect both the environment and the nation’s sensitive marine resources. Having qualified as a Gulf of America living marine resources boarding officer in January 2024, he served as the lead boarding officer aboard CGC Hawk throughout the year executing 57 LMR boardings and identifying 25 fishery violations. He is credited with the discovery of illegally pos- sessed, out-of-season and undersized red snapper, black- tip sharks caught without proper permits, a shrimp boat crew in possession detached shark fins, but no carcasses resulting in a waste of game violation, and five reef fish violations. These fishery violations are in addition to vio- lations of the exclusive economic zone, environmental and safety issues, and 46 USC § 8103—also known as the 75/25 rule—a non-U.S. citizen in command of a U.S.- flagged vessel. To further the mission, Abbo conducted joint opera- tions with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency officers and voluntarily participated in ride-alongs with the Texas State Park Police and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department’s game wardens. These actions strengthened relationships, paving the way for greater cooperation and information sharing between the state agencies and the CGC Hawk’s crew. Always a team player, Petty Officer 2nd Class Trevor Abbo’s tireless dedica- tion exemplified the finest qualities of a living marine resources boarding officer. Passionate about conservation and driven to ensure future generations can enjoy a healthy marine ecosys- tem, he believes humanity has an innate responsibility to be good stewards of our natural resources. LT Maffucci’s actions uphold the Coast Guard’s legacy as a guardian of the seas. Married with one child, the southeast Michigan native studied natural resources management and agricultural economics at Texas Tech University before enlisting in the Coast Guard.
