Maine Lobsterman Charged With 'Egregious' Harvest

PORTLAND, Maine (AP) — The Maine Marine Patrol is charging a 34-year-old Stonington lobsterman with what it calls the most egregious case of harvesting undersized and protected lobsters in more than 25 years.

Theodore Gray faces jail time and a maximum fine of more than $100,000 for the offenses. The marine patrol says Gray possessed 269 undersized lobsters and 123 known breeding lobsters. It also accused him of molesting equipment because it found him in possession of 20 traps that belonged to another harvester.

Marine Patrol Major Jon Cornish said in a statement that the illegal harvesting was "one of the most egregious violations I have seen." Maine law requires lobsters less than 3.25 inches be released.

The marine patrol added "several aspects" of the case remain under investigation and more charges could follow.