One person has been arrested and several others are facing criminal charges after Wareham Harbormaster officials say they caught them on Sunday, May 21, with hundreds of pounds of illegally caught fish near the Tempest Knob boat ramp.

Black sea bass, scup, tautog, blue fish, striped bass and sea robins were among the species seized from coolers aboard two vessels. At approximately 3 p.m., harbormaster officials noticed several coolers aboard the boats while performing safety inspections and then notified Massachusetts Environmental Police to assist with the investigation.

Once Environmental Police were on the scene, the vessels were removed from the water, but not before one of the boat's captains was seen discretely dumping some of the fish overboard, according to harbormaster officials.

Officials said officers stopped the captain from disposing of more and recovered a majority of the fish dumped overboard.

Those involved have been charged with fishing without a recreational license, exceeding catch limits, undersize catch and illegally disposing of fish. One vehicle, trailer and a boat were towed from the scene.

Because the fish were not properly stored harbormaster officials said they could not be used for human consumption due to health risks. Instead, the fish will be sent to the National Marine Life Center in Buzzards Bay.

“The fish will be used to help feed the numerous animals that are in their rehabilitation facility!” according to a post on the Harbormaster Department’s Facebook page. “While this was an irresponsible waste of fish they will go to good use.”

The incident remains under investigation. Harbormaster officials extended thanks to the officers of the Wareham Police Department for their assistance.