Fishermen Arrested for Illegal Striped Bass Fishing

Three Rhode Island men were arrested by state environmental police for illegal striped bass fishing activity over the past two months, according to the state Department of Environmental Management.

The DEM’s Division of Law Enforcement conducted a multi-day operation targeting illegal striped bass fishing in August and September. This year, quotas were reduced for commercial fishermen and recreational limits were limited to one fish per person per day in response to declining stocks, the DEM said.

Despite the new regulations, the environmental police operation “uncovered numerous violations of state and federal marine fisheries laws,” the DEM said in a news release.

On Aug. 12, Raymond Jobin, 72, of Charlestown, was apprehended by police and agents from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office for Law Enforcement for possessing striped bass and trying to sell them in Massachusetts.

Jobin “faces potential administrative charges in Rhode Island and has been cited for violation of the federal Lacey Act by NOAA OLE,” the DEM said.

On Sept. 7, two commercial fishermen were arrested for exceeding the daily limit of striped bass. David M. Fewster, 48, of East Providence and John E. Linton, 65 of Narragansett both face administrative penalties by DEM.

Additionally, seven other fishermen were identified by DEM environmental police for fishing for striped bass in the federal waters of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which extends from three to 200 miles off-shore. “

“DEM and NOAA OLE are working closely together on this ongoing investigation. Striped bass are illegal to take in federal waters. A total of 42 striped bass were seized during this operation,” the release stated.

A premier gamefish and an important commercial species, surveys since 2006 have shown the striped bass biomass has been steadily declining. In 2012, it had fallen below management targets and was approaching overfished status.

Management plans to rebuild the fishery began in 2015.

The DEM filed the new regulations limiting catches in March.

“I am extremely proud of the dedicated men and women who serve in DEM’s Division of Law Enforcement and their collaborative efforts with our federal partners to protect Rhode Island’s marine resources,” said DEM Director Janet Coit. “DEM is working hard to ensure the health and future of the striped bass population, and it is essential that we go after illegal activity to protect this valuable natural resource.”