CHATHAM — During the early morning hours of Wednesday, Aug. 5, 2026, Massachusetts Environmental Police officers received a report from the U.S. Coast Guard of a fisherman in the area of Ryders Cove, with suspected illegal commercial striped bass aboard his vessel.
According to the Massachusetts Environmental Police, officers conducted a marine fisheries inspection and determined that the fisherman was in violation of multiple regulations governing the possession and taking of commercial striped bass.
Officers found the fisherman to be in possession of 18 striped bass in violation of possessing commercial striped bass on a closed commercial fishing day. In addition, six of the fish measured less than the legal-size limit of at least 35 inches. Further investigation determined that he had also landed twice the daily commercial limit.
The Massachusetts Environmental Police reported that all 324 pounds of fish were seized and later forfeited to the Commonwealth following a civil libel hearing that resulted in an assessment of $1,863. The fisherman was also issued a Massachusetts Environmental Violation Notice with an additional $2,905.80 in fines.
Anyone who witnesses a natural resource violation can contact the Massachusetts Environmental Police’s 24-hour dispatch center at 1-800-632-8075.
