NEW: RI DEM Cites Fisherman for Exceeding Striped Bass Catch Limit, Donates Fish to Amos House

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NEW: RI DEM Cites Fisherman for Exceeding Striped Bass Catch Limit, Donates Fish to Amos House

PHOTO: DLE
The Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management's Division of Law Enforcement (DLE) cited a Warren man for having caught 13 striped bass - 12 over the limit for a recreational angler. 

The DLE seized the 13 stripers and donated them to Amos House.

“I am grateful to Officers Mercer and Esposito and all DEM Environmental Police Officers who patrol the waters handling so many responsibilities so well. One of their topmost missions is enforcing fishing, shellfishing, and lobster laws and regulations. In diligently doing so, they are safeguarding Rhode Island’s natural resources, which are a public trust,” said DEM Director Janet Coit.

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The Incident

Following a period of surveillance, DLE Officers Jeff Mercer and Anthony Esposito boarded a vessel belonging to Michael Saviano of 424 Water Street in Warren, as Saviano was coming into Point Judith yesterday morning.

Two striped bass were in plain sight on the boat; the other 11 fish were hidden in a compartment under the bow.

The current striper limit for recreational fishing is one fish measuring at least 28 inches long per person per day. (The RI commercial striped bass season is currently closed.)

Officers Mercer and Esposito cited Saviano with one count of exceeding the possession limit of striped bass and one count of failure to cut the pectoral fin.

Rhode Island marine fisheries regulations require recreational anglers to remove the right pectoral fin of a striped bass that’s at least 34 inches long at the time of harvest.  According to the DEM, this signifies that the fish was caught recreationally and is meant to prevent recreational anglers from selling their catch, which is illegal. 


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