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{ Associated Press }
HERMOSA BEACH, Calif. - A fisherman suspected of poaching lobsters apparently drowned after he became entangled in the rope of one of his traps and was pulled overboard, officials said.
An autopsy for Mark Willey, 37, of Redondo Beach, was set for Wednesday, the coroner's office said.
Willey, whose unmanned boat was discovered running in circles early Monday morning, had been under investigation for poaching lobsters in a protected area off the South Bay, officials with the state Department of Fish and Game said.
"We've heard of his illegal activity for a while," department spokesman Steve Martarano said.
Willey's wife, Candace, said her husband fished six days a week and sold his catch to a local market and restaurant.
"He's been commercial fishing since he was 19 years old," she said. "He loved it. It was being out on the ocean, not being confined to anything."
She said authorities unfairly harassed her husband.
A friend of Willey called the Redondo Beach Harbor Patrol office at 5 a.m. Monday after seeing Willey's boat.
Harbor patrol officers searched unsuccessfully for Willey's body before attempting to tow the boat into the marina. When officers pulled up a line that appeared to be an anchor, they discovered it was attached to a 50-pound lobster trap - and tangled around Willey's body.
Authorities believe he was fishing at night for the lobsters, which is illegal, and keeping his lights off to avoid being caught.
"He was trying to conceal his purpose, to thwart the responsibilities of the Fish and Game Department," said Hermosa police spokesman Sgt. Paul Wolcott. "He paid the ultimate price in doing that illegal behavior."
:confused2 "She said authorities unfairly harassed her husband." Uh, I'm sorry for both of them, but - I think he proved their suspicions.
HERMOSA BEACH, Calif. - A fisherman suspected of poaching lobsters apparently drowned after he became entangled in the rope of one of his traps and was pulled overboard, officials said.
An autopsy for Mark Willey, 37, of Redondo Beach, was set for Wednesday, the coroner's office said.
Willey, whose unmanned boat was discovered running in circles early Monday morning, had been under investigation for poaching lobsters in a protected area off the South Bay, officials with the state Department of Fish and Game said.
"We've heard of his illegal activity for a while," department spokesman Steve Martarano said.
Willey's wife, Candace, said her husband fished six days a week and sold his catch to a local market and restaurant.
"He's been commercial fishing since he was 19 years old," she said. "He loved it. It was being out on the ocean, not being confined to anything."
She said authorities unfairly harassed her husband.
A friend of Willey called the Redondo Beach Harbor Patrol office at 5 a.m. Monday after seeing Willey's boat.
Harbor patrol officers searched unsuccessfully for Willey's body before attempting to tow the boat into the marina. When officers pulled up a line that appeared to be an anchor, they discovered it was attached to a 50-pound lobster trap - and tangled around Willey's body.
Authorities believe he was fishing at night for the lobsters, which is illegal, and keeping his lights off to avoid being caught.
"He was trying to conceal his purpose, to thwart the responsibilities of the Fish and Game Department," said Hermosa police spokesman Sgt. Paul Wolcott. "He paid the ultimate price in doing that illegal behavior."
:confused2 "She said authorities unfairly harassed her husband." Uh, I'm sorry for both of them, but - I think he proved their suspicions.
