Three Massachusetts men caught with illegal haul of undersized fish in Rhode Island – WJAR

Incident Report: Marine Fisheries Violations and Sustainable Development Goal Implications

Executive Summary

• Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM) officers intercepted three individuals for significant marine fisheries violations, directly impacting marine biodiversity.
• The infractions, including possession of a substantial number of undersized fish and fishing without licenses, undermine efforts to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life Below Water).
• This enforcement action highlights the critical role of strong institutions (SDG 16) in promoting the sustainable management of natural resources, a key target of SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).
• The seizure and subsequent return of viable fish to the water represent a direct intervention to conserve marine ecosystems and combat illegal fishing practices.

Details of the Infraction

1. Illegal Possession of Tautog: A total of 48 tautog were confiscated, with 47 of them being below the legal minimum size required for sustainable harvesting.
2. Illegal Possession of Black Sea Bass: A total of 21 black sea bass were confiscated, with 20 failing to meet the legal size limit.
3. Lack of Licensing: The individuals were operating without valid saltwater fishing licenses, a fundamental requirement for legal and regulated fishing activities.
4. Boating Safety Violations: The owner of the vessel was arrested and issued separate citations related to boating safety infractions.

Enforcement Action and Outcomes

• The entire illegal catch was seized by DEM officers.
• Many of the undersized fish were successfully returned to the water, contributing to the conservation of local fish stocks.
• The vessel’s owner was arrested and cited for the violations.
• The names of the three individuals cited were not released by officials.

Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 14: Life Below Water

• This incident directly relates to Target 14.4, which calls for an end to overfishing and illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing.
• Enforcing size limits is a critical, science-based management tool to restore fish stocks by allowing juvenile fish to reach reproductive age, thus ensuring the long-term health of the marine ecosystem.
• By preventing the landing of undersized fish, the DEM’s action helps conserve marine biodiversity and protect vulnerable species from depletion.

SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production

• The illegal harvesting of undersized fish represents an unsustainable pattern of consumption and production that threatens natural resources.
• This enforcement action supports Target 12.2, which aims to achieve the sustainable management and efficient use of natural resources by preventing their illegal depletion.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• The response by the Rhode Island DEM exemplifies the role of effective and accountable institutions in upholding environmental law.
• Enforcing fisheries regulations is a key function of strong institutions dedicated to promoting the rule of law and ensuring that natural resources are managed sustainably for the public good.

Conclusion and Public Advisory

• This case underscores the importance of regulatory compliance and enforcement in safeguarding marine environments and achieving global sustainability objectives.
• The public plays a vital role in supporting these goals. Citizens are urged to report any suspected poaching or unsafe environmental activities to the DEM to help protect shared natural resources for future generations.

Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed

1. SDG 14: Life Below Water

   • This goal is directly addressed as the article’s central theme is the protection of marine life from illegal and unsustainable fishing practices. The interception of fishermen with undersized tautog and black sea bass highlights efforts to conserve and sustainably use marine resources, which is the core mission of SDG 14.

2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

   • This goal is connected through the actions of the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management (DEM). The article describes a functioning and effective institution (DEM) enforcing national/state laws to protect the environment. The arrest of the boat owner and the issuance of citations demonstrate the promotion of the rule of law (a key aspect of SDG 16) to combat environmental crime.

Specific SDG Targets Identified

SDG 14: Life Below Water

1. Target 14.4: End overfishing, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing

   • The article directly relates to this target. The men were engaged in illegal fishing (no valid licenses) and practices contributing to overfishing (catching 67 undersized fish). The actions of the DEM officers represent a direct effort to “effectively regulate harvesting and end… illegal… fishing” to help restore fish stocks.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

1. Target 16.3: Promote the rule of law and ensure equal access to justice

   • The enforcement actions described in the article are a clear example of promoting the rule of law at the state level. By arresting an individual and issuing citations for violating marine fisheries and boating safety regulations, the DEM is upholding the law to protect public resources and ensure accountability.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

1. Indicators for Target 14.4

   • While the article does not mention the official UN indicator (Proportion of fish stocks within biologically sustainable levels), it provides specific data points that can serve as practical, localized indicators of enforcement efforts against illegal fishing:
   • Number of undersized fish seized: The article explicitly states that 47 tautog and 20 black sea bass were undersized, for a total of 67.
   • Number of individuals engaged in illegal fishing: The article identifies three men fishing without valid licenses.
   • Quantity of illegally caught fish seized: The total catch of 48 tautog and 21 black sea bass was seized.

2. Indicators for Target 16.3

   • The article implies indicators related to the enforcement of laws:
   • Number of arrests for environmental violations: The article states that “The owner of the boat was arrested.”
   • Number of citations issued for environmental and related violations: The boat owner was “issued citations for boating safety violations,” and all three men were cited for fisheries violations.

Summary Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: turnto10.com