On November 13, a boat captain from Connecticut received a penalty following a trial in Southold Town Justice Court for illegally catching black sea bass in the Eastern Long Island Sound, Suffolk County, during New York’s closed season. Back on June 14, 2024, ECOs Simmons and Zullo observed the out-of-state vessel fishing for black sea bass during the closed season and stopped it just before it reentered Connecticut waters. The Officers inspected the boat and discovered 30 out-of-season black sea bass. The ECOs also determined the vessel was not registered in New York State as a party/charter boat as required for recreational fishing passengers to take fish outside the territorial waters of the state. ECO Zullo issued one ticket to the captain of the vessel for possessing 30 black sea bass out of season and another for operating without a charter permit. A judge found the defendant guilty of both charges at trial and ordered the subject to pay a total of $3,400 in fines.
