Island Park Crew Catches Oversized Bluefin Tuna: DEC

ISLAND PARK, NY — State Department of Environmental Conservation officers received a tip about a vessel in Island Park taking in oversized bluefin tuna.

Bluefin tuna over 73 inches are restricted from being caught, recreationally and commercially, according to National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) regulations.

One of the officers responded to the Aug. 22 complaint and spotted the vessel at the East Rockaway Inlet, the state DEC said.

The crew attempted to evade the officer by backing out of the slip. The environmental conservation officer yelled for the crew to stop and they compiled, the DEC said in a release.

When questioned about the bluefin size, the crew claimed it was 73 inches when it actually measured 80 inches, the DEC said.

The crew's permits and information were documented and the federal violations were turned over to NOAA.

"ECOs and Investigators are on patrol, ready to serve their communities. Each year brings new challenges, and fortunately, these Officers and Investigators are expertly trained to perform their duties with persistence, integrity, and good judgment, as they've done for over a century," DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos said.

To report an environmental crime or to report, you can call the 24-hour hotline at 1-844-DEC-ECOS.