A lucrative scheme between a New Jersey fisherman and a seafood dealer to sell illegally harvested scallops has resulted in a fine and other penalties for both men.
The fisherman’s boat fished for clams, authorised to take a limited quantity of scallops as by-catch, but he was found to have routinely exceeded these limits, while he and the dealer worked together to falsify the legally required fishing vessel trip and dealer reports to cover up the overfishing.
Both pleaded guilty. The fisherman was sentenced to a $10,000 fine, six-month home confinement, and a two-year term of probation. He has been prohibited from holding a NOAA Fisheries Operator Permit or commercial fishing permit and from completing any Fishing Vessel Trip Reports. The dealer was sentenced to a $4,000 fine and a two-year term of probation.
This case began in April 2021, when our officers boarded the defendant’s vessel and located scallops concealed in a hidden compartment. Two NOAA Fisheries special agents and our enforcement officers conducted an investigation that lasted more than four years. New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection officers assisted in the investigation.
The team determined that the New Jersey-based commercial clam vessel fisherman sold thousands of pounds of illegal scallops to the local dealer. Both confessed to the violation during the investigation. Because of the high price of scallops, the defendants made substantial profits from the illicit operation.
‘Our industry members depend on us to help them compete fairly in a challenging environment,’ said Northeast Division acting Assistant Director James Cassin.
‘Thanks to the persistent efforts of our agents and officers, we stopped offenders from causing harm to our competitive markets and our law-abiding domestic commercial fishermen.’
