BUZZARDS BAY – The operator of a 23-foot charter boat is in hot water today after the Coast Guard says they found evidence of illegal fishing on the boat.
Crew members say they found more than 100 black sea bass on board in Buzzards Bay, which were illegally caught during the offseason. The catch was seized.
The Coast Guard says the operator’s license had expired in 2008.
“The Coast Guard takes the passenger safety and local marine resources sustainability very seriously,” said Tom Walker, the passenger vessel safety specialist at the 1st Coast Guard District in Boston.
“Our job is to ensure a safe and level playing field for charter boat captain and fishermen,” he said.
The Station Woods Hole crew escorted the vessel and its five passengers back to the dock.
