Massachusetts Environmental Police

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Massachusetts Environmental Police Protecting the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ environment and natural resources via enforcement, education, and public outreach.

This page is not monitored 24/7 | 24-hour dispatch 1-800-632-8075

The Massachusetts Environmental Police will be in the Sportsman's Building at the Topsfield Fair this weekend until Octo...
10/09/2026

The Massachusetts Environmental Police will be in the Sportsman's Building at the Topsfield Fair this weekend until October 12th. We're here and ready to assist with your fish, wildlife, and outdoor recreation questions. Stop by and say hello!

Please join us in congratulating Thomas Burbank on his well-deserved promotion to Lieutenant! A 12-year veteran of the M...
10/01/2026

Please join us in congratulating Thomas Burbank on his well-deserved promotion to Lieutenant!
A 12-year veteran of the Massachusetts Environmental Police, Lt. Burbank brings extensive operational experience to his new role. Throughout his career, he has served as an officer in Central Massachusetts, a Sergeant and patrol boat operator on the offshore patrol boats Thomas Paine and Jessie and a Detective Sergeant in the Boat and Recreation Vehicle Safety Bureau. Lt. Burbank also brings 21 years of experience from his service in the U.S. Coast Guard. In his new position, he will oversee Environmental Police operations in Western Massachusetts, covering the southern C2 region from Ludlow to West Stockbridge.
Best of luck in your new role!

Congrats Lt. Vinal!
09/30/2026

Congrats Lt. Vinal!

World Rabies Day: Protect Yourself, Your Pets, and Wildlife With recent news reports of beavers in New York and goats in...
09/28/2026

World Rabies Day: Protect Yourself, Your Pets, and Wildlife

With recent news reports of beavers in New York and goats in North Carolina testing positive for rabies, we want to recognize World Rabies Day by sharing important reminders about this deadly disease.

Rabies is a virus that can affect any mammal, including people. Once symptoms develop, rabies is almost always fatal. The virus is spread through the saliva of an infected animal when it comes into contact with broken skin, the eyes, nose, or mouth of another mammal.

In Massachusetts, wildlife commonly associated with rabies cases include:
🦝 Raccoons
🦇 Bats
🦨 Skunks
🦫 Woodchucks
🦊 Foxes
🐱 Bobcats

Tips to Stay Safe:

✅ Keep your dogs, cats, and other domestic pets up to date on their rabies vaccinations.

✅ If you observe a mammal showing signs of illness such as excessive drooling, unusual aggression, or paralysis, contact your local animal control officer or animal health authorities.

✅ If you wake up and find a bat in your bedroom, or discover a bat in a room with a child or someone unable to report contact, consult a healthcare provider and contact animal control immediately.

✅ Never feed wildlife. Feeding wild animals can cause them to congregate, increasing the risk of disease transmission.

✅ Do not relocate wild animals. Moving wildlife can spread rabies and other diseases to new areas.

✅ Never handle wild animals, even if they appear injured, orphaned, or friendly.

Knowledge and prevention are our best defenses against rabies. Learn more about rabies in Massachusetts and how to protect yourself, your family, and your pets here:

https://www.mass.gov/info-details/rabies

Today is National Roadkill Day. A reminder that thoughtful, lawful decisions can reduce waste, support sustainability, a...
09/25/2026

Today is National Roadkill Day. A reminder that thoughtful, lawful decisions can reduce waste, support sustainability, and keep our roads safer for both people and wildlife.

September also marks moose breeding season which means these large animals are more visible near roadways with increased movement across the landscape.

We are reminding folks of two important themes:
1) Wildlife road‑safety awareness, especially during high‑movement seasons
• Drivers should always maintain a high visual horizon, and slow down during dawn, dusk, and other low‑visibility periods. Stay alert in known wildlife‑crossing areas; Watch for movement along the shoulders and tree lines.

2) Sustainable, no‑waste use of roadkill when legally authorized
Interested in Using Roadkill for Food? If an animal is struck and someone wishes to utilize it as a food resource, proper authorization is required.
* If local or state police release a deer to you, it must still be “sealed” by Environmental Police or MassWildlife.
> Moose and bear may only be authorized for possession by MEP or MassWildlife.
> Furbearers (coyote, bobcat, raccoon, etc.) may only be kept if you hold a valid hunting or trapping license and the species’ season is currently open, or if you have a special permit.

Call MEP Dispatch at 1‑800‑632‑8075 for possession and tagging protocol.

On Saturday September 19, 2026 at 11:45pm, the Massachusetts Environmental Police conducted a boarding of a recreational...
09/24/2026

On Saturday September 19, 2026 at 11:45pm, the Massachusetts Environmental Police conducted a boarding of a recreational fishing vessel at the Smugglers Beach boat ramp in South Yarmouth. The two fishermen onboard initially claimed to have caught and retained two striped bass.

Upon further inspection of the vessel, the Officers located a hidden compartment underneath a storage box in the bow of the vessel. This hidden compartment was found to contain 11 striped bass. The Officers also located one undersized cod in a bait bucket.

The Officers processed all 13 striped bass found onboard. Seven of the striped bass measured greater than maximum legal size of 31 inches. One of the striped bass measured less than the minimum legal size of 28 inches. Eleven of the fish were over the legal possession limit of one fish per recreational angler.

Both parties were arrested and transported to the Massachusetts State Police Barracks in Yarmouth. At the Barracks, they were booked on the following charges:

1. Possession Over the Recreational Limit of Striped Bass
2. Possession of Oversized Striped Bass
3. Possession of Undersized Striped Bass
4. Failure to Display Catch Upon Demand
5. Possession of Cod in Southern New England Waters

They were released on personal recognizance and appeared Monday September 21, 2026 at Barnstable District Court for arraignment.

Confiscated fish resources were disposed of in the best interest of the Commonwealth.

All individuals are considered innocent until proven guilty.

Reminder:
The recreational striped bass harvest limit is one fish per person per day. Only fish that measure at least 28 inches total length but less than 31 inches total length may be retained. Total length is to be measured as the greatest straight-line length (not over the curve of the body) from the anterior most tip of the jaw or snout, with the fish’s mouth closed, to the farthest extremity of the tail, with the tail squeezed together. Dead legal-sized striped bass may not be discarded.
https://www.mass.gov/news/know-before-you-go-reminder-about-mas-recreational-striped-bass-fishing-rules

Outdoor recreation in Massachusetts doesn’t follow a single season. Hunting, trapping, and fishing take place year‑round...
09/24/2026

Outdoor recreation in Massachusetts doesn’t follow a single season. Hunting, trapping, and fishing take place year‑round, and many residents enjoy these activities responsibly and lawfully across all corners of the Commonwealth.

MEP is reminding the public that harassing anyone who is lawfully hunting, trapping, or fishing is against the law. Respect for outdoor users keeps everyone safe and protects the traditions that make Massachusetts’ wild spaces special.

Under M.G.L. Chapter 131, Section 5C, it is illegal to obstruct or interfere with the lawful taking of fish or wildlife. This includes:

Blocking or following someone engaged in lawful hunting, trapping, or fishing

Disturbing wildlife to interrupt legal activity

Using sounds, scents, or visuals to disrupt wildlife behavior

Erecting barriers to deny access

Tampering with gear or property

Interjecting into the line of fire

Entering land with intent to interfere

Violators may face injunctions, civil action for punitive damages, civil citations, criminal charges or arrest with enforcement by Environmental Police and other officers with arrest powers.

MEP encourages everyone enjoying the outdoors, whether hiking, birdwatching, hunting, or fishing, to respect one another and allow lawful activities to take place safely.

If you witness or experience harassment or interference, contact the Massachusetts Environmental Police at 1‑800‑632‑8075.

Stewardship, safety, and respect keep our wild places thriving.

🍁 Happy First Day of Fall from the Massachusetts Environmental Police🍁As autumn arrives and outdoor traditions ramp up a...
09/22/2026

🍁 Happy First Day of Fall from the Massachusetts Environmental Police🍁
As autumn arrives and outdoor traditions ramp up across the Commonwealth, many residents will be enjoying the woods and fields for hunting and harvesting wild game. Fall is also one of the busiest seasons for many outdoor users enjoying the beauty of the season, and we want everyone to stay safe and visible.

🟧 Wear Blaze Orange in the Woods
All outdoor recreationists should wear blaze orange or other bright colors to stand out and avoid blending into natural backgrounds. High‑visibility clothing dramatically increases your safety, whether you’re hiking, walking your dog, bird watching, biking, or foraging.

🐾 Keep Dogs Leashed
As required by law, dogs must be kept on a leash while visiting Wildlife Management Areas, state forests, and state parks. This keeps pets close, prevents conflicts with wildlife, and minimizes interactions with other land users — including hunters.

🦌 Enjoy a Safe and Respectful Hunting Season
Let’s work together to ensure a safe, enjoyable fall for everyone who shares Massachusetts’ woods and waters. Blaze orange saves lives, and responsible recreation keeps our outdoor spaces welcoming for all.

Here is a short video on the effectiveness of blaze orange:
https://www.bing.com/videos/riverview/relatedvideo?q=effectiveness+of+blaze+orange&mid=DAA9FD3D1A6B0C4FF246DAA9FD3D1A6B0C4FF246&churl=https%3a%2f%2fwww.youtube.com%2fchannel%2fUCkmSuoI6InwS16hX1cHnjuA&FORM=VIRE

Reminder! Personal floatation devices (PFDs) must be worn during paddlecraft use from Sept. 15 to May 15th
09/15/2026

Reminder! Personal floatation devices (PFDs) must be worn during paddlecraft use from Sept. 15 to May 15th

On the early morning of August 5th, 2026, Massachusetts Environmental Police Officers received a report from the United ...
09/14/2026

On the early morning of August 5th, 2026, Massachusetts Environmental Police Officers received a report from the United States Coast Guard of a fisherman in the area of Ryders Cove, Chatham, with suspected illegal commercial striped Bass on board. After a marine fisheries inspection, Officers determined the fisherman to be in violation of multiple regulations governing the possession and taking of commercial striped bass.

Officers found the fisherman to be in possession of a total of 18 fish and violations of possession of commercial striped bass on a closed commercial day, 6 of those fish under the legal-size limit of at least 35 inches in total length, and after investigating further, discovered the fisherman had landed a double commercial limit for a single day.

All 324lbs of fish were seized and subsequently forfeited to the Commonwealth following a civil libel hearing resulting in $1,863.00. The violator was issued a Massachusetts Environmental Violation Notice with fines amounting to an additional $2,905.80.

The Massachusetts Environmental Police would like to thank the United States Coast Guard for their partnership and assistance throughout this case.
As a reminder, our officers are out in the field every day enforcing the laws of the Commonwealth that help protect the natural resources we all value. We encourage anyone witnessing a natural resource violation to contact our 24-hour dispatch center at 1-800-632-8075."

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200 Arlington Street
Chelsea, MA
02150

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