Illegal Clammers Caught Under Moonlight - Kings County

Working overnight on Aug. 11, ECOs Zachary Kochanowski and Joshua Jarecki patrolled the shore of Jamaica Bay in Kings County as the waxing moon caused tides to recede further than normal, making the uncertified waters of the bay an easy target for illegal taking of shellfish. The ECOs spotted one group of people in the water who appeared to be swimming. After a closer look, the officers determined the group was placing clams into a bucket. The ECOs waited patiently as the group left the water. After issuing summonses to the first group, the ECOs watched as the bright night and low tides brought more and more people to the bay. Just before midnight, the officers counted more than 100 individuals digging for clams. The ECOs gathered up the late-night violators and issued tickets for possession of uncertified clams and undersized blue claw crabs. Over the course of the night, 60 blue claw crabs and approximately 900 clams were seized and returned to the waters in Jamaica Bay.