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May 26, 2009

Feds uncover tuna black market in Ogunquit

By The Mainebiz News Staff

Several restaurants and fishermen in Ogunquit face $100,000 in fines for the illegal buying and selling of Atlantic bluefin tuna, according to the York County Coast Star.

A two-year investigation by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration claims that in July 2007 three fishermen out of Perkins Cove allegedly went door-to-door to restaurants, trying to sell bluefin tuna that was smaller than the legal length of 54 inches, the newspaper reported. NOAA claims that none of the fishermen or restaurant owners had the proper permits to buy or sell the tuna. The fishermen face $40,000 in fines, while the restaurants and individual chefs face a total of $60,000 in fines.

The accused restaurants claim they were not aware of the laws when they purchased the fish. "Do you think I need to make $200 dollars to jeopardize my restaurant, my career and the possibility of getting fined?" David Giarusso Jr., executive chef and owner of Angelina's Ristorante in Ogunquit, told the paper. "Honestly I don't need the $200 dollars."

The restaurants and individuals accused of illegally buying the tuna:
Jackie's Too Restaurant, Ogunquit, facing $10,000 in fines
Five-O Shore Road Restaurant, Ogunquit, facing $10,000 in fines
Angelina's Ristorante, Ogunquit, facing $5,000 in fines
Peter Bevins, executive chef of Jackie's Too, facing $10,000 in fines
Zachary Crosby, executive chef of Five-O, facing $15,000 in fines
David Giarusso Jr., executive chef and owner of Angelina's Ristorante, facing $5,000 in fines
Wayne Wescott, owner of the Front Porch Café in Ogunquit, facing $5,000 in fines

And the fisherman accused of illegally selling the tuna:
William McIntire, of Cape Neddick, facing $15,000 in fines
Glenn Perkins, of Cape Neddick, facing $15,000 in fines
Michael Lorusso, of Wells, facing $10,000 in fines

 

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