BOSTON, MA (March 10, 2009) – A Chatham commercial fisherman was charged in federal court yesterday with harassing a humpback whale, in violation of the Endangered Species and Marine Mammal Protection acts.
Robert J. Eldridge Jr., 39, owner of the 35-foot Unicorn fishing boat, could face up to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine if he is convicted of the three federal counts. Eldridge, reached by phone at his home yesterday afternoon, said the charges were untrue but he declined to comment further.
The US Attorney’s Office released little information on the case other than to say that it happened on or around July 10 in US waters and that Eldridge was being summoned to appear before a judge, probably within the next several weeks.
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