Stonington — First Selectman Rob Simmons has written a letter to state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Robert Klee, complaining about a comment that the new head of the marine division of the Environmental Conservation Police made about members of the town’s fishing fleet in an interview with The Day.

In that interview, which was published Oct. 2, Capt. Keith Williams stated “I’ll check when they’re offloading, doing surprise checks at the dock. We’ll go to the docks in Stonington frequently just to keep them honest, and let them know we’re out there.”

The comments came as he discussed the responsibilities of the marine division.

Simmons said this week that the comment implies that Town Dock fishermen are breaking the law or are considering it.

In his letter to Klee, Simmons pointed out the long economic and cultural importance of the fleet, and said to “single out Stonington from all of the other coastal towns who support commercial and recreational fishing, and to suggest that we are not honest, is an unacceptable insult.”

He added the comment is particularly unfair when local fisherman already are struggling due to “unfair federal regulations and a bad economy.”

“They do not need to hear that their meager tax dollars are going to a state official who thinks they are dishonest,” he wrote.

He added the local commercial fishing industry deserves more respect than Williams’ comments convey.

In response to Simmons’ letter, Michael Lambert, the chief of DEEP’s Bureau of Outdoor Recreation, said a meeting was held on Oct. 14 with fishermen and that “it went very well.”

He wrote that DEEP appreciates and respects the long history of commercial fishing in the town and its importance.

Lambert said the director of the EnCon Police is well aware of the changes facing the industry and will work closely with Williams “to ensure consistent protection of marine fisheries stocks through education, outreach and enforcement.”

Williams could not be reached for comment Thursday.

At the meeting with fishermen, wholesaler Mike Gambardella, who buys the fish landed at the Town Dock, said Williams apologized for his comments at the meeting.

“He was real nice when he came down,” said Gambardella, who said the comment was uncalled for. “We left on good terms and said we will cooperate with each other.”

Gambardella said four Rhode Island-based boats who land fish at the Town Dock have told him they will no longer do so because of concerns about how they will be treated after the comment by Williams. He said those decisions come as Connecticut boats have reached their quota for scup and fluke and can no longer land those species.

j.wojtas@theday.com