Baymen Cited For Taking Scallops Before Legal Sunrise: DEC

SOUTHOLD, NY — Baymen were cited for taking scallops during the closed season, according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's police officers.

According to the NYSDEC, on Nov. 6, Region 1 ECOs Lt. Frank Carbone, Jeremy Eastwood, Brian Farrish, and Katie Jaukab conducted an early morning boat patrol in Little Peconic Bay and Great Peconic Bay for the opening of Peconic Bay scallop season in Suffolk County.

Due to recent heavy rainfall, the officers were patrolling to check areas temporarily closed to shellfishing, the ECOs said; the officers were also checking to make sure harvesters did not start the season too early.

Several boats were found harvesting well before legal sunrise in Great Peconic Bay in the Town of Southold, the DEC said.

A total of 4 tickets and 6 written warnings were issued for taking scallops during the closed season, the DEC said.

"From Montauk Point to Mount Marcy, from Brooklyn to Buffalo, the ECOs patrolling our state are the first line of defense in protecting New York's environment and our natural resources, ensuring that they exist for future generations of New Yorkers," said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. "They work long and arduous hours, both deep in our remote wildernesses and in the tight confines of our urban landscapes. Although they don't receive much public fanfare, the work of our ECOs is critical to achieving DEC's mission to protect and enhance our environment."

Patch courtesy file photo.