A two-month-long enforcement initiative on the Hudson River and its tributaries resulted in the ticketing of more than 60 individuals for numerous fishing-related violations, NYS Department of Environmental Conservation Acting Regional Director Keith Goertz announced today. During April and May, DEC Environmental Conservation Officers concentrated their efforts along the Hudson River and its tributaries on a detail dubbed “Operation River Run” in an effort to protect the spring migrations of numerous fish species in the Hudson River watershed, including walleye, striped bass, shad, herring and young eels.
“This was a tremendously successful operation,” said Goertz. “Our uniformed and plain clothed officers worked all hours of the day and night in often remote locations to protect these vulnerable fish species during their spawning cycles.”
Officers checked more than 400 anglers during the operation resulting in the ticketing of more than 60 individuals and written warnings issued to another 20 anglers. Most violations were for fishing without a freshwater license or marine license, which is required to catch marine species in the Hudson River. Officers also issued tickets for striped bass and herring over the legal limit.
The illegal taking of young eels, also called glass eels or elvers, has increased substantially in the past few years due to the large demand for the fish in the lucrative Asian market.
Most illegal fishing takes place late at night and often goes unreported due to the remote locations where much of the illegal activity occurs. DEC police utilized saturation patrols and concentrated staff in targeted problem areas using unmarked and marked vehicles and boats.
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