Enviro Officers Catch Fishy Behavior

 Enviro Officers Catch Fishy Behavior

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation’s (DEC) Division of Law Enforcement has been hard at work enforcing the 71 chapters of New York State’s Environmental Conservation Law (ECL), protecting fish and wildlife and preserving environmental quality across New York. Last month, they responded to some local concerns around Jamaica Bay and Breezy Point.

On Dec. 3, ECO Milliron spotted a black SUV backed into a wooded area known for illegal dumping off Cross Bay Boulevard in the Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge. The Officer noticed the back hatch open and observed an individual removing objects from the vehicle and dumping trash into the woods. ECO Milliron blocked the vehicle with his police cruiser and observed additional cement demolition debris inside the vehicle, ready to be unloaded. Caught in the act, the subject admitted to the illegal activity saying, “It’s not too much.” Officer Milliron issued a ticket to the subject for the unlawful disposal of solid waste, returnable to Queens County Court. U.S. Park Police also responded because the alleged crime occurred at a federal wildlife refuge and charged the subject with additional federal charges. The man’s vehicle was also towed.

On Dec. 3, ECOs Farner and Clinger received a complaint about an individual taking fish illegally in Breezy Point. The Officers approached the angler when he returned to his vehicle, but the subject was not in possession of any visible fish, just a backpack with a strong fish odor. The ECOs searched the area and discovered a bag approximately 100 yards from the parking lot and hidden in some woods that contained six undersized striped bass. As the Officers were leaving the area, they observed the subject’s car driving back to the fishing access site. They followed his vehicle and caught the subject searching in the woods for the bag the Officers had retrieved. ECOs ticketed the subject for possession of over-the-limit and undersized striped bass. The six striped bass ranged from 17 and 25 inches. The allowable catch limit for striped bass in marine waters is one per day between 28 and 31 inches.

“Environmental Conservation Police Officers and Investigators serving in DEC’s Division of Law Enforcement are working tirelessly across the state to protect natural resources and public safety while holding poachers and polluters accountable,” DEC Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said. “DEC looks forward to continuing to work with our local, State, and federal law enforcement partners to ensure compliance with New York’s stringent environmental conservation laws and promote the safe and responsible enjoyment of the outdoors.”

To contact an ECO to report an environmental crime or to report an incident, call 1-844-DEC-ECOS for 24-hour dispatch or email (for non-urgent violations).

 

 

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