YARMOUTH – From the Massachusetts Environmental Police (MEP): On Saturday September 19, 2026 at 11:45 PM, the Massachusetts Environmental Police conducted a boarding of a recreational fishing vessel at the Smugglers Beach boat ramp in South Yarmouth. The two fishermen onboard initially claimed to have caught and retained two striped bass.
Upon further inspection of the vessel, the Officers located a hidden compartment underneath a storage box in the bow of the vessel. This hidden compartment was found to contain 11 striped bass. The Officers also located one undersized cod in a bait bucket.
The Officers processed all 13 striped bass found onboard. Seven of the striped bass measured greater than maximum legal size of 31 inches. One of the striped bass measured less than the minimum legal size of 28 inches. Eleven of the fish were over the legal possession limit of one fish per recreational angler.
Both parties were arrested and transported to the Massachusetts State Police Barracks in Yarmouth. At the Barracks, they were booked on the following charges:
1. Possession Over the Recreational Limit of Striped Bass
2. Possession of Oversized Striped Bass
3. Possession of Undersized Striped Bass
4. Failure to Display Catch Upon Demand
5. Possession of Cod in Southern New England Waters
They were released on personal recognizance and appeared Monday September 21, 2026 at Barnstable District Court for arraignment.
Confiscated fish resources were disposed of in the best interest of the Commonwealth.
All individuals are considered innocent until proven guilty.
Reminder:
The recreational striped bass harvest limit is one fish per person per day. Only fish that measure at least 28 inches total length but less than 31 inches total length may be retained. Total length is to be measured as the greatest straight-line length (not over the curve of the body) from the anterior most tip of the jaw or snout, with the fish’s mouth closed, to the farthest extremity of the tail, with the tail squeezed together. Dead legal-sized striped bass may not be discarded. More information is available here on the MEP website.
Photos by Massachusetts Environmental Police/CWN
