RI Fisherman Fined $9K For Poaching Bass Off Block Island: DEM

BLOCK ISLAND, RI — A fisherman was fined $9,000 after illegally catching striped bass in the Exclusive Economic Zone off the coast of Block Island, according to the Department of Environmental Management.

Wednesday's fine against William McLaughlin III came after environmental authorities caught him dumping striped bass from his boat in June 2020. DEM officers spotted McLaughlin's boat and watched as he tried to stay away from them after dumping the fish, state officials said.

DEM officials said the officers eventually caught up to McLaughlin's boat, boarded it and seized two large striped bass.

According to the department, an exclusive economic zone is considered a safe zone for fish, with the goal of maintaining sustainable fishing for generations to come.

Administrative Law Judge Christine Coughlin enacted the penalty and said dumping the fish and trying to flee were both "aggravating factors" in the case.

"While unlawful possession of one or two fish may not seem to be of consequence of to [McLaughlin], when considered in a purely individual context, when it is considered amidst the backdrop of an already struggling fishery and a seemingly rampant disregard for its conservation by 'prolific' unlawful fishing activity, such behavior, even individually, is especially grave," Coughlin said.