A Gloucester fisherman accused of harassing humpback whales on Stellwagen Bank in 2008 reached a plea deal with federal prosecutors yesterday that will see him fined $200.
Christopher Jacques of Western Avenue pleaded guilty to two violations of the Marine Mammal Protection Act, but avoided what could have been up to $100,000 in fines and a year in jail if he had been convicted at trial.
In March of last year, he was charged with three counts of whale harassment — including hitting two humpbacks with a boat.
"I took the deal," Jacques said yesterday when reached by phone after giving his plea in U.S. district court in Boston. "I wanted to fight it but couldn't take the chance. I am living paycheck to paycheck."