Tue, 10/04/2016 - 5:15pm

PORT CLYDE — Maine’s Operation Game Thief is offering a reward of $2,000 for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in the sinking of Anthony Hooper’s lobster boat, Liberty.

The Maine Marine Patrol is investigating the third sinking in two months of a lobster boat belonging to Hooper, who is from Tenants Harbor.

“This is a senseless act that has happened to one of our own,” said Operation Game Thief Board of Directors Chairman Greg Sirpis, in an Oct. 4 news release. “The commercial lobstering community has a deep rooted tradition in Maine, and this will simply not stand. The Maine OGT Board of Directors is hopeful that someone will come forward and furnish information that will assist the Maine Marine Patrol in their investigation.”

“We’re grateful for the tremendous support of the Operation Game Thief program,” said Marine Patrol Major Rene Cloutier. “While their focus is traditionally on poaching violations, their partnership with the Marine Patrol will help us pursue serious violations that undermine the ability of hard working fishermen to make a living on the water.”

The most recent sinking occurred at some point between Friday evening, September 30, and Saturday morning, October 1. The first sinking occurred in August and the second occurred between September 28 and September 29. The 35 foot fishing vessel Liberty was sunk again last Friday evening, just two nights after the boat was raised and repaired. Each incident occurred in Port Clyde where the boat is moored.

The vessel has again been raised by its owner and is under repair.

This investigation is on-going. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-800-253-7887 (1-800-ALERT-US); out of state callers dial 1-207-287-6057. Information can also be provided through the OGT online Tip Reporting Form at http://www.maineogt.org/report.php. Information provided by phone or the Tip Reporting Form can be provided anonymously.

Anyone with information can also contact the Maine Marine Patrol. Contact information for the Maine Marine Patrol can be found at http://www.maine.gov/dmr/marine-patrol/marine-contact.html