Illegal Clammers Caught Under Moonlight - Kings County

[george]

Working overnight on Aug. 11, ECOs Zachary Kochanowski and Joshua Jarecki patrolled the shore of Jamaica Bay in Kings County as the waxing moon caused tides to recede further than normal, making the uncertified waters of the bay an easy target for illegal taking of shellfish. The ECOs spotted one group of people in the water who appeared to be swimming. After a closer look, the officers determined the group was placing clams into a bucket. The ECOs waited patiently as the group left the water. After issuing summonses to the first group, the ECOs watched as the bright night and low tides brought more and more people to the bay. Just before midnight, the officers counted more than 100 individuals digging for clams. The ECOs gathered up the late-night violators and issued tickets for possession of uncertified clams and undersized blue claw crabs. Over the course of the night, 60 blue claw crabs and approximately 900 clams were seized and returned to the waters in Jamaica Bay.

Illegally harvested clams and crabs seized by ECOs​

 

[Capt13]

....... the officers counted more than 100 individuals digging for clams

.... That's a crazy number !

 

[george]

.... That's a crazy number !

I was thinking the same thing.

 

[live bait]

Reading the last couple of threads, it's amazing that anything is left alive in the water. Just think of the illegal activity that could be stopped with more ECOs. Considering the relative few number of Officers I think they do an outstanding job.
John

 

[BennyV]

Our local waters are under a constant assault. I’m sure those who were given the summonses no speaky

 

[live bait]

Our local waters are under a constant assault. I’m sure those who were given the summonses no speaky

They knew enough about the tide & phase of the moon.
John

 

[BennyV]

They knew enough about the tide & phase of the moon.
John

Of course they did.