Anglers Catch More Than 700 Illegal Fish, Crabs, In Bay Shore: DEC

BAY SHORE, NY — Numerous people received violations, after they illegally caught more than 700 fish and crabs in Bay Shore, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation announced on Wednesday.

On Aug. 17, environmental officers received reports of anglers using nets to catch undersized crabs at the Captree Fishing Pier at Captree State Park.

As the officers entered the parking lot, they observed a group of people placing a net and buckets into the back of an SUV. The officers approached and interviewed the anglers, who admitted to fishing off the beach with a net.

Not only did they possess more than 700 fish and crabs, the conservation department said, but officers measured 21 blue claw crabs under the legal limit of 4.5 inches. According to state law, no person shall possess or land any blue crab less than 4.5 inches in length for hard shell blue crabs or 3.5 inches in length for soft shell blue crabs.

Officers also counted more than 650 menhaden, which was over the catch limit for that species. The legal amount of caught menhaden is 100.

The anglers received tickets for these violations, and additional citations for undersized summer flounder (fluke) and fishing without a valid marine registry.

The ECOs also informed the group that a nighttime fishing access permit is required by the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation to fish in the park after hours.

Shortly after this incident, the officers encountered a second group a short distance away, actively crabbing off a dock. After inspecting the group's catch, the Officers found that 20 out of the 30 crabs caught were under the legal size limit. The second group received a ticket for possession of undersized crabs.