The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation's (DEC) Division of Law Enforcement enforces the 71 chapters of New York State's Environmental Conservation Law (ECL), protecting fish and wildlife and preserving environmental quality across New York.
Recently, New York State Environmental Conservation Police Officer (ECO) Pabes received a call from an angler at Twin Lakes Preserve in Wantagh reporting multiple subjects netting in Seaman Pond, a popular freshwater fishing location in Nassau County.
Minutes later, ECO Pabes arrived at the pond and observed an angler in the water actively casting a net. Officer Pabes approached the group and interviewed the anglers, who claimed to not have any fish or fishing licenses. However, ECO Pabes observed a shopping bag on the ground next to one of the subjects.
Inside, the Officer found 218 sunfish, 39 yellow perch, three undersized chain pickerel, and nine black bass. It is unlawful to take fish by netting, black bass is catch-and-release only in Nassau County, the chain pickerel must measure at least 15 inches, and there is a daily limit of 25 for sunfish.
The anglers apologetically admitted to taking the fish before accepting five tickets each for fishing without a license, taking fish by means other than angling, taking fish out of season, taking undersized fish, and taking in excess of the daily limit. All tickets were made returnable to Nassau County First District Court.