NYS DEC Catch Striped Bass Poaches; Anglers Hiding Blackfish Under Shirts in New York

According to a recent Press Release from the NYS DEC, officers recently apprehended fish poachers in parts of New York State.

NYS DEC CAPTURE STRIPED BASS POACHERS IN QUEENS COUNTY, NEW YORK

In Queens County on On Oct. 29, Environmental Conservation Officers received a complaint about a group of anglers poaching striped bass and placing the fish at a dock in Howard Beach. However, by the time the Officers received the information, the fishermen already had left the area. The next day, ECOs Milliron and Michalet patrolled Jamaica Bay with members of the U.S. Coast Guard when they received a report that the same boat was out on the water. The ECOs returned to shore and split up to search for the boat. While driving over Cross Bay Bridge, ECO Michalet spotted the boat described in the complaint, notified Officer Milliron, and headed back to the dock. The Officers confronted the anglers, discovered 16 illegal striped bass, and issued 23 tickets to five individuals for possession of over-the-limit striped bass, possession of undersized and oversized striped bass, no Marine Registry, and failure to release fish without undue harm.

NYS CAPTURE BLACKFISH POACHERS HIDING UNDERSIZE FISH IN THEIR SHIRT

In Nassau County, On Nov. 1, while checking anglers fishing for tautog (blackfish) along the Wantagh Parkway bridges in the town of Hempstead, ECO Pabes noticed one angler talking on his phone to another angler using binoculars on the opposite side of the bridge. After the phone call ended, one of the anglers retrieved a bag from his belongings and dumped three blackfish back into the water. Officer Pabes approached the fisherman, who claimed he had not caught any fish. While speaking to the subject, Officer Pabes noticed a large bulge under the angler’s sweater. The ECO requested the subject untuck his sweater and two undersized blackfish fell to the ground. The Officer issued three tickets to the angler, all returnable to Nassau First District Court, for possession of undersized fish, failure to release fish without undue harm, and no Marine Registry.

Last Updated on November 27, 2022 by Fish HV Contributors