P R E S S R E L E A S E - December 15, 2011

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) Environmental Conservation (EnCon) Police today responded by vessel to an active commercial shellfishing complaint in Long Island Sound, Guilford, and cited two captains of Mid-Sound Fisheries, LLC for shellfishing violations.

Nicholas J. Crismale, 61, of Guilford was arrested for allegedly harvesting twenty-nine bushels of clams from the leased shellfish beds of another shellfisherman, and was charged with larceny in the fourth degree and two counts of violation of his shellfish license. All three charges are misdemeanors, and penalties include up to one year in prison and a $2000 fine for the larceny, and a $1000 fine or up to three times the market value of the shellfish for the license violations. Crismale was released on a promise to appear in New Haven Superior Court on 12/29/11.

Elias Montoyo, age 50 of New Haven and captain of another Mid-Sound Fisheries vessel operating nearby, was cited by EnCon Police for shellfishing on unmarked beds, which is an infraction. All shellfish from Crismale’s vessel were seized by police and were released back into the waters from which they were harvested.

HOLD BACK ALLISON

I am friends with Nick.... Wow!