Cape Cod Boater Charged With OUI, Illegally Catching Over 100 Fish

BOURNE (CBS) – A Cape Cod boater was arrested on Memorial Day, charged with operating under the influence and catching an illegal number of sea bass.

A Massachusetts Environmental Police patrol boat was inspecting a recreational fishing boat in Buzzards Bay near the entrance to the Cape Cod Canal on Monday around 6 p.m.

The officer noticed a large number of black sea bass in coolers. The legal number of black sea bass each person can catch is eight.

While officers were inspecting the boater's catch on a ramp in Bourne, they noticed he had a strong smell of alcohol.

Police had the man perform field sobriety test. He failed and was arrested.

The man, who police did not identify, was arrested for operating a motorboat under the influence of alcohol, possession of 122 black sea bass, having an unregistered motorboat, displaying improper registration numbers on a motorboat, and fishing without a valid Massachusetts saltwater fishing license.

Police donated the large number of fish to charity.