Connecticut Party Boat MIDDLEBANK II Caught Concealing Undersized Fluke in NY State Waters
NOTE: THIS IS NOT A MADE UP STORY, IT WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON WWW.THEFISHINGLINE.ORG (click on the post title to see original) FROM THE NYS DEC. Unfortunately all the posts are anonymous or without an email address, including the one from "Captain Lauren Griffith". I am willing to offer the Middlebank an opportunity to publish their side of the story but without an email address (there was none at their website at publishing time) it is impossible.
- The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) today announced the results of an enforcement detail led by several Environmental Conservation Police Officers (ECOs) at approximately 11 a.m. on June 9th 2007. The investigation was organized in response to numerous complaints regarding Connecticut party boats allegedly taking undersized fluke in the Long Island Sound.
- Lt. Dallas Bengel* accompanied by ECOs Chrisman Starczek and Matthew Blaising* boarded the Connecticut party boat MIDDLEBANK II* Captained by Timothy Griffin* by Buoy 10 on the Long Island Sound between the towns of Mount Sinai and Port Jefferson. ECOs inspected ship personnel for proper permits and checked coolers for fish size; all permits were present and fish within regulation size. Captain Griffin was asked if any other fish were on the boat and ECOs received a negative response.
- ECOs requested to inspect the bait station and* following a quick search* found eight hidden undersized fluke. Every fluke was over 18" long* compliant with Connecticut regulations* but under 19.5"* below New York fishing regulations. If the party boat was able to return to Connecticut waters uninspected* no charges could be filed due to the shorter size regulations of Connecticut although the fish were caught in New York waters. The boat was boarded approximately two nautical miles off of Sound Harbor* approximately four nautical miles away from Connecticut waters.
- The party boat was charged with possession of undersized fluke* and due to the its commercial status* can be charged up to $500 per undersized fish.
- The party is to appear on July 23 in Suffolk County First District Court in Islip to face the charges. Individuals spotting illegal activities are encouraged to call DEC’s Environmental Conservation Officers at (631) 444-0250 during business hours* and 1-877-457-5680 at all other times to report suspected illegal activities.
- This post was originally published on The Fishing Line. Click on post title to see original post.
5 comments:
Why don't we have a National limit on all fish caught regarding size and limits. Let's all play by the same rules so that one state does not an advantage on another.
The information about the party fishing boat "MIDDLEBANK" is misleading. The manner in which the story was written would make it appear that the captaian and crew of the "MIDDLEBANK" were concealing short fluke from the NY DEC offercers. This is not true. I have no idea who wrote this story but if you were on board you would know that no fish were ever hidden from the DEC. The fish in question were in the customers coolers. The captain of the "MIDDLEBANK" requested that the DEC give the boat the ticket for short fish rather than loose the customers in the future. The boat pleaded guilty and sent the ticket back to the NY DEC. The boat was fined a total of $85 dollars. Not a big offence!
It should be noted that a captain of a party boat can only inform the boats customers of what the size limits are and how many fish they can keep. The captain has no power to arrest or stop a person from keeping short fish or fish that are out of season. The only job a party boat captain has is the safe navagation of the vessel and to do his best to find fish. You must understand that a party fishing boat is realy nothing more than a floating fishing pier that can move around. Like a fishing pier, the customers are a mixed bunch that are sportsmen, people out for a day on the water trying something new and there are also people that don't care what the laws are and will try to take short fish if they think they can get away with it. So the next time you see a party boat, know that the captain can not enforce the law, he can only advise the people on board what the law is.
Sincerely,
Captain Lauren Griffith
Party Fishing Boat "MIDDLEBANK"
Having been on the party boat "Middlebank myself I can tell you that this could not have happened to a more deserving crew. The previous poster said that the captain had no control. However experiencing the captain, mate and wife myself I can tell you that they rarely have anything but control.Very rude people who seem to have control problems even resorting to throwing fish guts on guest's kids to make people laugh. Wish the fine could have been more and don't buy into the "we had no idea and couldn't control anything" crap. anyway good luck fishing and make sure to measure twice. I personally know that other people will be watching :)
Please keep in mind there are two sides to every story- “I have to say, I have been on many party boats over the years and I would rate the Middlebank as first class on top of the list for Professionalism, Curtious, honesty, and value for both the experienced seasoned fisherman and family's alike (Both the Mates and the Captain and Crew). I frequent the Middlebank both by myself and have also brought my 4.5 yr old son and would highly recommend this boat to all who want a great close to home day or evening out on the water. They always stress the regulations on the water, but as the captain pointed the passengers can still be dishonest. One thing to keep in mind as far as expectations go. This is fishing and not catching; therefore don't use one bad or awesome trip as the norm for everyday expectations. I have been on limit Bluefish trips where we head home early with 350 fish, and Night Stripper trips where a 19 pounder was landed, then last night only one blue for the whole boat. (happened to me winning the pool:) They also have a custom hand built rod giveaway for the biggest fish in three classes for the season that I was informed I won for my 13+ lb Blue last year. I give this boat a thumbs up for a great day/eve on the water- Super clean new boat with a great experienced crew! So go ahead and take a trip out...Better yet take the family.” Steve from Beacon Falls, Connecticut
i dont know who wrot the above comment but they must have a ax to grind .i have fished on there boat a few times and have seen none of what they said there tops in the bizz two thumbs up and a twist.
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