A US fishing captain and seafood dealer have been found guilty of illegally harvesting and selling thousands of pounds of scallops between 2017 and 2021 in New Jersey. The case, investigated by NOAA Fisheries’ Office of Law Enforcement, represents a significant enforcement action against illegal fishing operations in the Atlantic scallop fishery. The defendants engaged in a years-long scheme to harvest and sell scallops outside of legal regulations, undermining conservation efforts and fair competition in the seafood market. This conviction highlights ongoing challenges in monitoring and enforcing compliance in valuable US fisheries, where illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing can severely impact sustainable stock management and legitimate industry participants.
Original source: NOAA: US fishing captain, dealer found guilty for years-long illegal scallop harvest