On the morning of Aug. 22, Environmental Conservation Officer Reilly received a tip about a vessel out of Island Park taking oversized bluefin tuna. Bluefin tuna over 73 inches were restricted from being caught at that time, both recreationally and commercially, as per National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) regulations. ECO Pabes responded to the complaint and spotted the vessel at the East Rockaway Inlet returning from its voyage. ECO Pabes intercepted the vessel as it was docking at Island Park. The crew noticed the ECO approaching and began backing out of the slip as if to evade the Officer. ECO Pabes yelled to the crew to stop and they complied, redocking the vessel at the slip. When questioned on the size of the tuna, the crew claimed it to be 73 inches, when in reality it measured 80 inches. The crew’s permits and information were documented and the federal violations were turned over to NOAA.
