Dead Stripers

[Gsseagle]

A recent article in the Pennsylvania Outdoor News, has highlighted a problem on the Cheasepeake Bay, as well as waters south of there. The first problem found, was from a trawler fleet off of Oregon Inlet, NC. The fleet of boats killed and discarded thousands of stiped bass, covering 1 1/2 miles wide and 3 1/2 miles long, were culled while while netting larger fish.
check the video (you might want to turn down your sound!)

www.youtube.com/watch?v=X51MKCrn9RE

The second problem that the DNR ran into was illegal gill netting of striped bass. There is a season for netting but waterways officers shut down the season , after finding more then 10 tons of illegally caught striped bass. No sooner was the closure announced, when the department located more illegal gill nets, Feb 11th. Two 900 yard strings of illegal nets, in the eastern bay, netted 3,879 pounds of bass. Unfortunately the perpetrators were not caught and there is a $20,000 reward for information, leading to an arrest. Two videos below.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=oAgrr8-4veQ

www.youtube.com/watch?v=1GB-hub-sN0&feature=related

[jigger3150]

I have been following this story for some time now. Tidalfish.com has a petion you can sign online to eliminate nets in the bay. I believe they are proposing that commercial watermen fish for striper with hook and line. Some have argued that banning nets will only stop honest watermen from netting and that the illegals will do it anyway. Kind of like the saying locked doors only keep honest men out. What ever the cause there has been a significant drop off in the last few years of my success fishing during the trophy catch and release. Unfortuneatley politics will be playing a part in what ever new rules are put in place and well all know how well that usually goes

[takem]

I read this in a local paper while in maryland recently. I kinda agree that banning it only hurts the honest watermen in the same way that gun laws only affect responsible legal gun owners. Either way it's a shame. Down where I go to hunt and fish it's mostly local watermen using pots. trot line, pound nets and hook and line. Nobodies getting rich. Just a tough Trade thats been passed down for generations. There's alway going to be poachers. Trawlers are a different story I suppose.

[Gsseagle]

Brad, sent you a PM....Ken