Anglers Nabbed For Illegal Fishing, Putting Turtle In Cooler: DEC

NORTH FORK, NY — Two anglers were ticketed in East Marion for illegal fishing and for putting a turtle in a cooler, officials said.

According to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, on June 24, while patrolling in East Marion, Environmental Conservation Officer Zullo saw anglers with coolers on the shore of the Oyster Ponds Waterway Access Site, officials said.

Zullo approached the anglers and saw a cooler with ice and a variety of fish including five out-of-season blackfish, 14 porgies, a rock crab, and a large, live diamondback terrapin, the DEC said.

The ECO interviewed an individual who claimed ownership of the cooler and admitted to finding the turtle on the beach next to a log and putting it in his cooler, the DEC said.

During the investigation, a town park employee told Zullo that a different individual had been seen burying fish in the sand on the adjoining beach property, the DEC said.

Zullo located the person and walked with him to the location; after some digging in the sand, Zullo found 10 porgies, the DEC said.

The ECO issued several tickets to the first offender for possessing blackfish out of season, as well as a ticket for unlawful possession of a protected species and another ticket for illegal take of a protected species, the DEC said.

The second angler who hid fish in the sand was issued a ticket for unlawful take of undersized porgy; all tickets are returnable to the Southold Town Justice Court, the DEC said.

The diamondback terrapin, a state protected species, was released to the Long Island Sound, the DEC said.