FRIENDSHIP – Maine marine authorities say a Friendship lobsterman who recently had all of his commercial fishing licenses suspended is being charged with new offenses that could lengthen his suspension.
Authorities suspended James Simmons in February after an investigation revealed he was fishing sunken trawls near Matinicus Island. That is prohibited by Maine law. Simmons was suspended for two years by the Department of Marine Resources.
The more recent charges are for engaging in licensed activities while under suspension and violating conditions of release from jail. A spokesman for the department says the charges could make the total suspension more than three years. Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher says Simmons “has established a longstanding pattern of disregard for Maine’s laws.”
A phone number listed for Simmons was disconnected when a reporter called.
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