2 Rhode Island Fisherman Charged With Exceeding Fishing Limits

PROVIDENCE, RI — Two Rhode Island men were arrested earlier this week after the Department of Environmental Management said they exceeded the state's fishing limits. Robert Majors, 41, of Bristol and Peter Parente, 53, of West Greenwich were in possession of 38 striped bass, the DEM said in a release. The daily limit in Rhode Island is just one fish.

Both men are commercial fisherman in Massachusetts, the DEM said, and were charged with 37 counts of exceeding the daily possession limit and 38 counts of failure to fin clip striped bass found in their possession. They are scheduled to be arraigned in Third Division District Court next month. All of the fish were seized by the DEM as evidence.

"Preserving Rhode Island's striped bass fishery and all our marine resources is a responsibility we take very seriously," said DEM Director Janet Coit. "I am extremely proud of our DEM Division of Law Enforcement and the commitment and professionalism our officers demonstrate every day in responding to illegal activity and bringing the people responsible to justice. Their outstanding action to thwart illegal fishing practices level the playing field for all anglers who abide by current striped bass regulations."

The arrest was part of Operation Level Playing Field, a patrol of the Exclusive Economic Zone near Block Island to protect striped bass populations. The area, known as the EEZ, is federally owned and specifically designated to conserve and manage fishery stocks. Throughout the summer, federal and local officials have patrolled and boarded fishing vessels in the area, enforcing fishing laws and regulations. According to the DEM, the area is frequently exploited by charter boat captains, dive operations and both commercial and private anglers looking for striped bass.

Environmental police learned that Majors and Parente were thought to be fishing in the EEZ and bringing the fish to Massachusetts to sell, which is against the law. Officers confronted the men at a house in West Greenwich, where they found the stock of fish.