Fishermen Caught With Illegal Catch: DEC

SOUTHOLD, NY — Three fishermen were caught with a catch that "grossly exceeded marine fishing limits," according to the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.

On August 19, NYSDEC environmental conservation officers Jeremy Eastwood and Brian Farrish were on a boat patrol in Little Peconic Bay in Southold when the officers found three fishermen who had 88 scup, or porgy, over the limit and 24 weakfish over the limit, including 12 undersized weakfish, the DEC said.

Each individual was issued tickets for the illegal fish returnable to Southold Town Justice Court, the DEC said.

The fish were donated to Community Action Southold Town, a not-for-profit organization created to help low-income residents, 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 photo.