February 6, 2026 — The council that oversees New England’s fishing industry on Friday recognized the loss of seven people who were aboard a fishing vessel when it sank off the coast of Cape Ann on Jan. 30.
“The New England Fishery Management Council extends our sincere condolences to the families, loved ones, and fishing communities affected by the tragic sinking of the F/V Lily Jean” the council said in a statement.
Seven people perished in the tragedy — the captain, Accursio “Gus” Sanfilippo, Paul Beal Sr., Paul Beal Jr., John Rousanidis, Freeman Short, Sean Therrien, and Jada Samitt, a NOAA fisheries observer who was aboard the vessel.