Officers Stop Illegal Fishing Off Larchmont, Mamaroneck, New Rochelle

WESTCHESTER COUNTY, NY — Patrols on the Long Island Sound near Larchmont, Mamaroneck and New Rochelle by environmental conservation officers with the state DEC in August and September resulted in citations and the seizure of more than 100 undersized porgy.

On Aug. 21, a two-person patrol on the Long Island Sound off the Westchester coast checked six boats fishing on the water. During the checks, the officers located 50 porgy less than the 10-inch minimum size and one out-of-season blackfish.

Blackfish season on the Sound does not open until Oct. 11.

Officers issued six tickets to five people for possession of undersize fish and possession of fish during the closed season.

Then, on Sept. 4, five officers patrolling off Larchmont, Mamaroneck and New Rochelle watched anglers taking and keeping undersized and over-the limit fish, as well as fishing without a Marine Registry.

The ECOs issued 29 citations for various violations and seized 54 undersized porgy. ECOs released several fish back into the water and donated the remainder to local wildlife rehabilitators.