We all have a friend who loves to exaggerate the size of their catch, but when a business does it, it's time for the law to get involved.

The New York Department of Environmental Conservation (NYDEC) does way more than patrol hiking trails and issue hunting licenses. Several New York supermarkets learned that the hard way when they found themselves on the wrong side of the law.

NYS DEC
NYS DEC
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Undersized Seafood in New York

There are many regulations involved with the harvesting of seafood, but some of the most important are size guidelines. Keeping undersized creatures in the water and out of the nets ensure a healthier ecosystem that helps guarantee continued fishing in the future. Not everyone follows the rules.

NYS DEC
NYS DEC
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Undersized Seafood Found in New York Fish Markets

"ECOs [Environmental Conservation Officers] visited a supermarket in Queens for an inspection. The Officers issued the store a Notice of Violation after observing 128 undersized lobsters in a tank", began the report from the NYDEC. "Two days later, [officers] received a complaint about undersized lobsters offered for sale at a market in Brooklyn... and discovered 245 lobsters below legal size".

KatieDobies/Billion Photos via Canva
KatieDobies/Billion Photos via Canva
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Punishment for Undersized Seafood in New York

The report continued by sharing that not only were the businesses issued violation notices, but the undersized seafood was confiscated and donated to a local food bank. So what lobsters can you keep?

SEE ALSO: What Fires are Allowed in New York State Parks?

The NYDEC advises that the minimum size of a lobster's carapace (the measurement from the back of the lobster's eyes to the "rear end of the body shell" must be 3 and 3/8th inches to keep. The maximum size is 5 and 1/4th inches. Lobsters with visible eggs are never allowed to be harvested.

Check Out the NYS DEC's 2022 Outdoor Photo Contest Winners

The NYS Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and State Parks & Historic Sites have announced the winners of their 2022 Outdoor Photo Contest. After receiving 6,032 submissions, they've narrowed it down to 7.

The grand prize is a $1,000 REI gift card, one 4-person tent, a 2023 Empire Pass, and a $250 NY Camping gift card. Each of the six category winners get a $250 REI gift card, a 2023 Empire Pass, and a $100 NY camping gift card.

NYS DEC K9 Cramer

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation relies on its K9 team in the field. Cramer was the first K9 assigned to NYS DEC Region 1, Long Island. He is trained in evidence recovery for fish and wildlife. He is certified in venison, stripe bass, and ducks.

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