Blackfish Poachers Caught in New York

On Oct. 13, ECOs Pabes and Kochanowski noticed two anglers fishing underneath the Second Wantagh Bridge in Nassau County previous to the opening of tautog (blackfish) season on Oct. 15. Throughout their surveillance, the Officers noticed one of many anglers depart their fishing location to retrieve his car from the Inexperienced Island car parking zone, whereas the opposite angler stayed behind. ECO Pabes checked the primary angler and located no fish in his possession whereas ECO Kochanowski noticed the second angler stroll a black duffle bag from underneath the bridge to cover it alongside the closely vegetated bike path. Officers detained the anglers whereas they looked for the bag however launched them after not initially discovering it. Officers finally situated the bag when the people have been roughly 150 toes away and referred to as after the duo to cease. The anglers ignored these instructions and took off operating into some thick vegetation off the bike path because the ECOs adopted. Officer Pabes situated one topic hiding within the reeds and detained him. The black bag contained 19 tautog out of season and 5 undersized black sea bass. 

ECOs ticketed the topic for possession of out of season tautog, possession of undersized black sea bass, failing to launch fish with out undue hurt, and failure to adjust to a lawful order from an Environmental Conservation Police Officer. The primary angler did not return to select up his pal.  

On Oct. 16, ECOs Dickson and Kochanowski noticed two people fileting fish close to a dock whereas patrolling Tanner Park in Babylon, Suffolk County. Officers interviewed the anglers who admitted to concentrating on blackfish and sea bass. When requested to current the carcasses, the people defined they threw them again into the water. The ECOs started counting the filets and noticed greater than the authorized restrict of 4 per particular person. The Officers then contacted the Babylon City Harbor Grasp who introduced a internet to help their efforts. Officer Kochanowski retrieved 12 blackfish carcasses and one sea bass carcass from the marine backside. All of the fish have been underneath regulation measurement. ECOs issued tickets to the anglers for the undersized fish and educated them on New York’s fishing laws. 

» Click on right here for all New York State Leisure Saltwater Fishing Rules