Massachusetts Environmental Police seize catch and fishing gear and issue criminal violations to group

image_pdfimage_print

While investigating marine fisheries violations in the Cape Ann area, Officers observed 5 individuals fishing from the rocks. Within minutes, Officers witnessed multiple violations as the individuals landed several undersized striped bass without measuring them or returning them to the ocean.

Massachusetts Environmental Police Officers and Gloucester Police made contact and discovered 39 undersized striped bass ranging from 12-25 inches. All 5 individuals were issued criminal summonses for possession of undersized striped bass, striped bass over the limit, and fishing without valid saltwater licenses. All fishing gear was seized and the striped bass were donated to the Open Door, Gloucester Food Pantry.

Anglers are reminded current Massachusetts regulations only allow for 1 striped bass per person per day and the minimum legal limit is 28 inches.

MEP would like to thank Gloucester Police for their assistance, as well as Gortons Fish and Steve Connolly Seafood for donating ice and fishing totes to ensure the catch was not wasted and made it to families in the Gloucester area.

About NewBedfordGuide

Check Also

54-year-old New Bedford career criminal, cocaine trafficker, sentenced to prison

“A 54-year-old New Bedford career criminal, who was convicted after a week-long jury trial last …

2 comments

  1. How sad that people have no boundaries, they just take, regardless of regulations that are trying to help the species thrive. They give sport fisherman a bad name. Maybe those DEP officers should have confiscated their vehicles too. That would have made the message clear. These clowns will be right back at it next week.

  2. I see this all the time I live on Nantucket and fish off the beaches. I see many people talking undersized fish and this is sad I have lived there for years and I have never seen a fish warden patrolling for violators makes you wonder

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Translate »