Environmental Police seized filleted tuna off Harwich


HARWICH
– From Mass Environmental Police: On Thursday, August 30, 2018, a Massachusetts Environmental Police Officer was notified of a vessel that was actively filleting bluefin tuna while underway. The Officer was able to determine the vessel had been launched from Allen Harbor in Harwich. Shortly after arriving to the area, the Officer observed the vessel entering the Allen Harbor Marina.

The Officer approached the vessel, which was equipped with rods and reels outfitted for tuna fishing. The operator, a permitted angler, indicated that he had caught and processed a bluefin tuna while underway; it was further indicated he was aware that the filleting of bluefin tuna at sea is federally prohibited. An inspection of the vessel found several large pieces of fish meat wrapped in plastic bags that were kept on ice within a cooler.

The bluefin tuna meat was seized and donated to The Housing Assistance Corporation of Cape Cod and The Champ House, both located in Hyannis. The rods, reels, and a Go Pro camera used to film the catch were seized and held as evidence.



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