On Saturday, October 2, 2021, Massachusetts Environmental Police Officers in New Bedford received information regarding a vessel that may have been involved in the poaching of fish. Officers subsequently conducted a marine fisheries inspection of the vessel upon its return to port.
The inspection found 220 tautog, 196 of which were undersized and 70 black sea bass, 44 of which were undersized. The owner of the vessel was placed under arrest and the two passengers aboard were issued criminal summonses.
All three suspects were charged with possession of 211 tautog over the legal limit, possession of undersized tautog, possession of black sea bass out of season, and possession of undersized black sea bass.
The daily recreational limit for tautog is three per person or a maximum of 10 per vessel, with a minimum length of 16 inches. Black sea bass are currently closed for recreational fishing.
