Fishing Compliance Checks – More Poachers Bagged

Queen/Richmond/Nassau Counties

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Untagged Tautog Found at Queens Grocery Store​

On Nov. 21, ECOs Currey, Keegan, Rappold, and Veloski collaborated with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) law enforcement officers to inspect seafood wholesalers for proper size, tags, and sanitary conditions of regulated seafood. During an inspection of a grocery store in Queens, ECOs Currey and Rappold discovered 19 untagged tautog (blackfish). Since blackfish are a highly regulated species requiring tags when caught and sold for commercial purposes in New York, ECOs issued tickets to the store for offering untagged tautog for sale.

Undersized Striped Bass Seized at Breezy Point​

On Dec. 3, ECOs Farner and Clinger responded to a complaint about an individual illegally taking fish at Breezy Point in Queens County. After the angler returned to his vehicle, the Officers noticed only a backpack emitting a strong fish odor but no visible fish. Searching nearby woods, they located a bag about 100 yards from the parking lot containing six undersized striped bass. As they were leaving, the ECOs saw the suspect driving back toward the fishing site and observed him searching the woods for the retrieved bag. The subject was ticketed for possessing over-the-limit and undersized striped bass. The seized fish ranged from 17 to 25 inches, while the legal catch limit for striped bass in marine waters is one fish per day between 28 and 31 inches.

Illegal Striped Bass Catch in Richmond County​

On Dec. 5, ECOs Farner and Clinger observed four anglers rapidly placing striped bass into bags and coolers in Richmond County. A subsequent inspection revealed 35 undersized striped bass. The ECOs issued eight tickets for possession of over-the-limit and undersized striped bass. The tickets are returnable to Richmond County Court.

Safety Violations and Illegal Striped Bass in Nassau County​

On Dec. 7, ECO DeRose observed a vessel with five individuals onboard not wearing personal flotation devices in Nassau County. Upon stopping the vessel, the ECO discovered the occupants standing in ankle-deep water with five striped bass floating nearby. Two of the five fish were outside the legal size limit. The ECOs ticketed two anglers for possessing striped bass outside the legal limit and cited the captain for failure to wear life jackets between Nov. 1 and May 1. Additionally, the group received a verbal warning for lacking proper safety equipment. Tickets are returnable to Nassau First District Court.