Fishermen face fines of $1k for illegal fishing if they break key 'net' rule

Two men in West Haven, Connecticut face multiple illegal fishing charges after being arrested for using large commercial nets without authorization, according to state authorities. Qidong Chen and Yuqing Lin, both 53, could face fines of up to $1,000 for breaking the state’s net rules, and potentially up to 30 days in jail in addition. Investigators said the men possessed 15 undersize summer flounder, with the smallest measuring 3.5 inches versus a 14-inch minimum, 51 undersize blue crabs, and 99 illegally harvested eastern oysters. They were charged including commercial fishing without a license, fishing for summer flounder without the required endorsement, and shell fishing after sunset. DEEP said complaints about illegal nets raised safety concerns such as nets catching in and damaging motors; the nets have since been removed and the seized fish donated to A Place Called Hope in Killingworth.