Dozens of illegally caught fish seized in Middletown as 8 people face fisheries violations

Rhode Island environmental police said eight people face fisheries violations in Middletown after reports of anglers taking undersized fish along the shoreline. Officers received a tip on Sunday about multiple people harvesting small black sea bass and tautog. Using surveillance video, investigators confirmed the violations, according to the Rhode Island Environmental Police Officers Association. The cases involved two groups that together had 67 tautog, including 53 undersized fish, and 10 black sea bass, including six undersized. Citations totaling $2,700 were issued for offenses including fishing without a license and possessing over-limit or undersized tautog and undersized black sea bass. The seized fish was donated to the Congress of the Birds for animal rehabilitation.