Crab fisherman in hot water

A commercial crab fisherman has been sentenced for illegally operating off the coast of Sonoma County.

Captain Steven Anello, 54, was found guilty of a misdemeanor violation by the Sonoma County Superior Court on Jan. 3 for taking Dungeness crab from the Stewarts Point State Marine Reserve, according to a California Department of Fish and Wildlife press release.

CDFW officers observed Anello trapping crab in the marine reserve between April 3 and 7 of last year. The officers were able to locate 23 of Anello’s traps, which they found to be lacking a required device that allows crabs to escape if the traps aren’t raised or become lost.

Anello was sentenced to five days in jail, 36 months of informal probation, and 20 hours of community service. He was also ordered to forfeit the proceeds of the illegally taken Dungeness crab, and issued a $10,000 fine.

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