Two alleged fishing-tournament cheaters have been indicted in Ohio. Also, boaters and anglers along Florida’s southwest coast are concerned that the aftermath of Hurricane Ian could trigger the return of a devastating red tide.
Ohio anglers are applauding the decision by a grand jury decision to indict Jacob Runyan, 42, and Chase Cominsky, 35, on felony charges of cheating and attempted grand theft. Cuyahoga County prosecutor Michael O’Malley indicated that the alleged cheating took place during the recent Lake Erie Walleye Trail Championship.
The pair are each facing four counts:
• one felony count of cheating
• one felony count of attempted grand theft
• one felony count of possessing criminal tools
• one misdemeanor count of unlawful ownership of wild animals
On Sept. 30, the pair participated in the Lake Erie Walleye Trail Championship Tournament in Cleveland, where, according to the indictment, they “did knowingly engage in conduct designed to corrupt the outcome of an athletic or sporting event.”
The tournament director suspected that the five walleye Runyan and Cominsky brought to weigh-in seemed heavier than their size would dictate. Upon cutting the fish open, it was discovered that the men had stuffed their catch with 10 lead weights — eight weighing 12 ounces and two weighing 8 ounces — in an attempt to win the nearly $30,000 purse.
They face fifth-degree felony charges a fourth-degree misdemeanor charge that pertains to the men’s alleged possession of fish filets on their boat. On Oct. 11, a search warrant was executed at Cominsky’s home in Hermitage, Pa., by law enforcement officers from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, the Hermitage Police Dept. and the Mercer County District Attorney’s office. Cominsky’s boat and trailer used in the tournament were seized and are in ODNR’s possession.
The men are scheduled to be arraigned Oct. 26 in Cleveland. They face up to a year in prison and a $2,500 fine on each of the three felonies. The misdemeanor is punishable by up to 30 days in jail and a $250 fine.
The Return of Red Tide?
Notwithstanding the massive rebuilding effort needed in southwest Florida, concern is running deep among marine dealers and their customers that the aftermath of Hurricane Ian will trigger a repeat of the devastating red tide that plagued the region for nearly 19 months, from late 2017 to 2019, following Hurricane Irma.
According to reports from Mote Marine Aquarium & Laboratory, that red tide outbreak killed more than 200 Florida manatees, almost 600 sea turtles, 204-plus bottlenose dolphins and dozens of Goliath grouper. Dead fish piled up on beaches and took months to remove.
The immense runoff and tidal surge from Ian has the components to potentially trigger another massive red tide. My wife and I endured the 19-month red tide episode, which greatly impacted our boating and fishing. To say we’re concerned is an understatement.
Gov. Ron DeSantis previously appointed a special task force to research and direct investment in red tide prevention and mitigation. However, many environmentalists say the only real is cracking down on polluters and agricultural runoff — no small challenge.
