Thursday, 4:30 PM
Two fishermen plead not guilty to mutilating lobsters
By Emma G. Fitzsimmons, Globe Correspondent
Two Billerica fishermen pleaded not guilty to mutilating crustaceans and other charges after police said they found 203 lobster tails and nine female lobsters bulging with eggs in the trunk of his car.
Police began watching Anthony Gozzo, 52, and his stern mate, Mark Turcotte, 20, several weeks ago after they received complaints from other fisherman in East Boston. Investigators allege that the pair were using traps to catch lobsters, immediately snapping off tails, and throwing the bodies back into the water. It is against state law to tear off lobster tails at sea or to catch females that are reproducing, said Lieutenant Gary Duncan.
"This is very uncommon to have something of this magnitude," Duncan said. "It's sad."
Gozzo and Turcotte both appeared in East Boston District Court today.
Police seized Gozzo's 35-foot lobster boat and his blue Lincoln Continental car, said Duncan, who added that they are trying to determine whether Gozzo was selling lobsters to a restaurant.
The pair could face more than $35,000 in fines and possible jail time, Duncan said.
