Two New Jersey anglers face possible fines of more than $12,000 apiece after being apprehended recently while in possession of 66 undersize Atlantic striped bass.
The New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife announced the March 30 bust Tuesday, saying the unidentified men were arrested by Conservation Police after returning to a private dock after an all-night fishing spree off Atlantic City.
“Earlier in the evening, they drew attention to themselves when officers observed them running their vessel at high rates of speed from various fishing locations under the cover of darkness and fog without any navigation lights,” NJDFW stated in a news release.
“Despite the conditions, and losing sight of the vessel on multiple occasions, officers utilized their intimate knowledge of the area to relocate and ultimately inspect the vessel.”
On the vessel were gross over-limits of fish that were too small to be legally harvested. State regulations (since changed) allowed for the take of one fish from 28 inches to less than 43 inches, and one fish 43 inches or greater per person.
The 66 striped bass measured between 13 and 24 inches.
The NDFW stated that undersize and over-limit violations “carry a penalty of $100 per fish/per violation, adding up to a potential of $12,800 in penalties for each angler.”
The men also were charged with unsafe vessel operation and operating a power boat without a valid registration or appropriate safety gear.
Their fishing gear was seized for evidence and might be permanently confiscated “due to the severity of the violations.”
–Image courtesy of the New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife