BOSTON — Stop overfishing for striped bass!

That’s the message from Massachusetts Environmental Police, who are cracking down on people illegally fishing for striped bass as officers make several arrests so far this season.

“With their population in a decline, enhanced management strategies have been put in place to aid in rebuilding the stock,” the agency said in a statement following a recent arrest for illegal fishing. “All laws pertaining to striped bass are a priority for MEP officers.”

The latest reported incident of illegal fishing was within a restricted area along the Merrimack River.

Environmental Police officers responded to the scene, but the fisherman had left before officers arrived. An officer then worked with Lawrence Police to help find the vehicle involved in the alleged illegal fishing.

Environmental Police officers ended up finding the fisherman, who was arrested for multiple fishing violations.

These violations included: possession of over the limit for striped bass, possession of striped bass exceeding the legal slot size, fishing on posted property, and fishing within a fish propagation area.

So far this season, there have been 13 arrests at the Lawrence Dam for fisheries related violations.

“MEP thanks the Lawrence Police Department Detective Division and Patrol Division for their assistance in the investigation and support into MEPs mission of conservation law enforcement,” the agency said.

The legal limit for recreational striped bass is one fish per angler measuring 28″ to under 31″ from the lower jaw to the furthest extremity of the tail with the tail squeezed together.

“Striped bass are an anadromous species, meaning they live in saltwater and migrate up rivers to spawn in freshwater,” MEP said. “Their migratory nature along the Atlantic Coast makes them susceptible to overfishing as they make their journey north in the spring, and south in the fall.”

Meanwhile this week in the Merrimack River, a major wastewater pipe broke — releasing millions of gallons of sewage into the river. MEP warned commercial and recreational fishermen about the wastewater, telling them to use caution.

Shellfish harvesting areas on the North Shore remained closed until further notice, in accordance with the national standards for shellfish safety.

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