What a waste of resource
 

https://onthewater.com/commercial-fi...d-striped-bass

What a waste? 135 illegal fish, maybe worse how are 112 legal? What are NY's commercial bass regulations? They should be fined $1,000 per illegal fish, equipment confiscated including the vessel and commercial licenses revoked. Lesser crimes involve jail time, something that should be considered. Can't have the rest of the coast staring at a moratorium and then when the very few who routinely break the laws actually get caught, let them off with a slap on the wrist. One commercial operator catches probably more illegal fish on one trip than legal stripers harvested by individual party and charter boats during the entire season.

Notice how nicely iced they are, this is what's being served at local restaurants and they don't even look like they can be salvaged for food or homeless shelters they're so beat up. People that do this are absolute &*^%@%$! and should have the book thrown at them.

Re: What a waste of resource
 

I was disgusted reading this article. Absolutely horrendous slaughter of poorly handled fish. How many times has this been done without them being caught is the bigger question.

Re: What a waste of resource
 

What a waste indeed

Re: What a waste of resource
 

Have to assume this is happening on a scale that would shock us all. No enforcement, the money must be substantial and there's virtually no penalties if you happen to get caught which is virtually never. How many here have gone night striper fishing on the water and ever been boarded or approached on shore by a CO or someone from F&G.

To see that many illegal fish harvested and knowing it's the tip of the iceberg is heart wrenching. Too many honest people who play by the rules make the sacrifices to let these scumbags get off with a slap on the wrist. I applaud the offices who catch guys doing this and really put themselves at risk but they simply have too few resources to put a dent in the bigger picture.

Re: What a waste of resource
 

I saw a CO issuing a ticket at Manasquan Inlet recently then when I returned on the next night two COs came after me, questioned me, then searched my bucket 🪣. At Dam Site 21 a few months ago, a CO went to my fishing 🎣 spot, questioned me, then searched my bucket 🪣. Last year two COs went to my Carnegie Lake fishing 🎣 spot, questioned me, then searched my bucket 🪣 while a fisherman from Virginia was in my fishing spot without a fishing license and didn’t get caught. NJ COs are too busy harassing old shore based fishermen instead of catching poachers.

Re: What a waste of resource
 

Sounds like they were just doing their job to me. Ive had COs check me almost every wknd for like 4 weeks+ during the ice fishing season last year. One day he approached us and was like "oh its just you guys again" and left us alone. We told him to take note of our license plates to save himself a long walk across the ice!

Re: What a waste of resource
 

Without enforcement, regulations don't matter. It would be the wild wild west if it's not already. We complain about lack of enforcement all the time on the board and now complaining about too much or unfair enforcement. If there were enough bodies to go around and stop the rampant amount of illegal fish being kept, I'd actually look forward to being checked every time out as I'd know someone is looking out for our best interests. Bands I enjoy reading your posts but in this case I doubt anyone in enforcement is targeting older aged shore fisherman. Maybe you just had a run of being in the wrong place at the wrong time and either way, in my opinion, CO's presence is always welcome. Remember how this thread started.