Fisherman fined $500 for disentangling whale

[seamonkey]

Fisherman fined $500 for disentangling whale

By Associated Press

A Cape Cod fisherman has been fined $500 for violating federal law by freeing a humpback whale that got tangled in his fishing gear.

Robert Eldridge of Chatham was sentenced in federal court in Boston on Wednesday for violating the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. He had faced a yearlong jail term and up to $100,000 in fines in connection with the July 2008 incident, but reached a deal with prosecutors earlier this month.

Prosecutors said the 40-year-old Eldridge should have called properly licensed rescuers instead of freeing the marine mammal himself. The whale swam away.

Eldridge’s lawyer said as part of the plea, his client also issued a written warning to other fishermen to be vigilant for whales.

[CharlieTuna]

Fisherman fined $500 for disentangling whale

The whale swam away.

He helped whale.
Whale swam away.
No rescue needed.

Seems simple enough to me, only the federales got wind of it and had to butt in with an idiot official sanction. It seems all good deeds are punished by them, at least in this case.

[vpass]

Wow, I would have done the same. He did a good deed. It should have been a warning.

[dogfish]

Eldridge’s lawyer said as part of the plea, his client also issued a written warning to other fishermen to be vigilant for whales.

The prosecutors in this case probably don't know anything about fishing. What if he waited for the marine mammal folks to show up, and the whale died in the meantime?

Free Willy!