After a series of compliance checks were conducted on Long Island, several officers from the Law Enforcement Division of the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) discovered something was amiss.
According to the New York DEC, the striped bass fishing season in saltwater waters and the Delaware River does not start until April 15, but some eager fishermen decided to get an illegal start and the Environmental Conservation Officer (EOC) took immediate action.
DEC reported in a recent press release that late in the evening on April 6, ECO Brent McCarthy observed several individuals catching striped bass, and he observed that fishermen were keeping out-of-season fish rather than releasing them back into the water. Were.
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Since there was no moonlight that evening, McCarthy struggled to find where the fishermen had hidden the illegal catches, so he called ECO Christopher DeRose and his K-9, Cramer, for assistance.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation was busy tracking a series of striped bass that had been caught before the season’s official start date of April 15. (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation)
DEC reported that the K-9 on duty had recovered a total of 16 striped bass, ranging from 25 to 35 inches in length, that were buried under sand and even under various logs and brush piles. Were hidden.
After the search, McCarthy and DeRose gave tickets to seven people “for the taking”. striped bass During the closed season.”
The reports did not stop there, as poachers began to get more creative in hiding illegal catches.
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The next day, another ECO, Lawrence Pabs, responded to a report about three fishermen who were hooking striped bass at the Bayville Bridge in Mill Neck before the April 15 season opening.
Three fishermen attempt to hide unseasoned fish in traffic cones on top of the Bayville Bridge on Long Island in Mill Neck, New York. (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation)
DEC reiterated that Pabs worked with Brookville police to confront the individuals, who denied having any fish.
After looking around the area, seven striped bass were discovered hiding inside the traffic cone at the top of the bridge.
Tickets were issued for three subjects “Illegal possession of fish during the closed season and failure to carry marine registry,” DEC reported.
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The following evenings, April 8 and April 9, three EOCs on duty received and responded to multiple complaints in Suffolk and Nassau Counties, as more individuals were reportedly apprehended and subjected to illegal detention.
Environmental Protection Police Officer Day assisted in the roundup of 10 fishponds on April 8 and April 9. (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation)
Another 10 striped bass were seized both nights and seven people were ticketed for possessing striped bass out of season. An additional three were ticketed for failing to keep a marine registry, the DEC continued.
“Environmental Protection Police officers and investigators serving in the DEC Law Enforcement Division We are working tirelessly across the state to protect natural resources and public safety while holding hunters and polluters accountable,” DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said in a statement published online.
“DEC looks forward to continuing to work with our local, state and federal law enforcement partners to ensure compliance with New York’s stringent environmental protection laws and promote safe and responsible enjoyment.” On the road.”
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Now that the striped bass season is officially underway, DEC made a recent announcement about the fish just before the season started.
The New York State DEC announced a new regulation for striped bass caught in the Hudson River and other rivers north of the George Washington Bridge, stating that only fish between 23 and 28 inches can be kept. (iStock)
Any striped bass caught Hudson River And in other streams north of the George Washington Bridge, an area in which fishing season began April 1, fishing can be stocked only if those catches are between 23 and 28 inches in length, the DEC announced.
The updated regulation will be implemented with immediate effect.
The New York State DEC has been working hard to protect and conserve the state’s fish and wildlife since its founding in 1970.
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“In 2023, the Law Enforcement Division fielded more than 101,500 calls, resulting in Environmental Conservation Police officers (ECOs) and investigators across the state responding to more than 30,932 complaints and working on cases, resulting in approximately 16,900 tickets for violations. The arrests ranged from deer poaching, illegal mining, illegal pet trade and excessive emission violations, according to the DEC’s website.
Environmental protection officials on Long Island are busy catching poachers who catch striped bass out of season and hide them in various places, including traffic cones. (New York State Department of Environmental Conservation)
Officials involved in ticketing had no further comment.
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