Fish and Wildlife Law Enforcement

[Billfish715]

How effective do you think the law enforcement division of Fish and Wildlife is in deterring saltwater fishing infractions? When you think of the miles of shoreline and the number of saltwater fishermen in New Jersey versus the number of CO's, what prevents fishermen from committing any number of fishing violations? It's pretty much of an honor system that makes most fishermen abide by the rules.

I agree that many situations might arise that would require common sense and therefore violate a regulation such as releasing a deeply hooked and bleeding 16" fluke that will become crab bait within minutes of being thrown back. If it were retained and if a CO were to inspect your cooler, there would be no room for reason and common sense in trying to explain how the fluke would be wasted by tossing it back since it was almost dead.

I also agree that many fishermen will put on their pirate hats and eye patches and take the chance that they will not be confronted by a CO which will lead to size and bag limit violations, primarily by private boaters and shoreline fishermen. Considering the odds of being stopped or checked, the odds are truly on the side of the fishermen.

It's just an observation but a legitimate issue to ponder.

[bigfishy]

The odds are against the CO....that's why EVERY
investigation is a slam dunk....thr problem iz not enough
funding and or COs to make a difference

[Chrisper4694]

Originally Posted by bigfishy

The odds are against the CO....that's why EVERY
investigation is a slam dunk....thr problem iz not enough
funding and or COs to make a difference

and on top of that, when they do issue citations and make busts, the court system basically laughs it off, giving out, basically 'slaps on the wrist'. And that is coming from a CO that we talked to for a while out on the ice last year. Basically the penalties are old and out of date and do not fit the times or the laws. it absolutely is basically an honor system unfortunately.

and i know guys always say to call and report if you see laws being broken...but Myself and friends, while fishing, have personally called in to report regulations being broken on 3 different occasions and no officer has ever shown up. And two of them were very close to parks where officers almost definitely were around. Not blaming them, they don't have the numbers of staff, but that's just the reality.

best bet, probably, is to buy a big foot costume and try to scare the poachers away!

[rumster]

When the regs are so out of touch, people become pirates.... Think about how much money is spent for someone to not even be able to catch 1 dinner for their families.... Not looking to get into a pissing match, so please do not even respond if that is the case.... If someone is taking home countless undersized fish, then obviously that is a problem and let your conscience be your guide.... How many legal fluke do you think a shore bound angler catches??? Not into raping a resource, but I am also not into dropping a dime on my fellow man over a dinner either.

[FISHGERE]

Regs are plain stupid when you take into consideration how many days are fishable with the weather winds sea conditions and time to fish you have about 7 goods days a month. Rod and reel guys are not to blame for any shortage of fluke. C O should target the commercial boats, Those nets vacuum the ocean until they start targeting them I could care less what peps do

[Duffman]

Originally Posted by rumster

I am also not into dropping a dime on my fellow man over a dinner either.

X2

Well said.

[MudCat08]

I agree that there's not enough funding going into COs. Few have to cover large areas - there's just not enough of them for efficient and impactful law enforcement. Because of lack of funds, there is little incentive to join and become a CO..I would love a career like that. Chances of me getting the position are slim to none.

[a-baum]

Originally Posted by rumster

but I am also not into dropping a dime on my fellow man over a dinner either.

Let's not even begin to argue that people are fishing to put food on the table. Fishing is recreation, and the food is just a bonus. Take all the fishing gear, licenses, etc and add it up and it's a tidy sum every year. Enough for far more meals than fishing produces. These aren't Inuits doing subsistence fishing. They are outlaws and their justification for keeping shorts to "Feed the family" is total BS.

[penn50w]

Originally Posted by FISHGERE

Regs are plain stupid when you take into consideration how many days are fishable with the weather winds sea conditions and time to fish you have about 7 goods days a month. Rod and reel guys are not to blame for any shortage of fluke. C O should target the commercial boats, Those nets vacuum the ocean until they start targeting them I could care less what peps do

AMEN to that!!!

[Angler Paul]

Sound fisheries management is based on compliance with the regulations. Although, I don't agree with some of them, I always obey the law. In my opinion a poacher is nothing more than a thief stealing from a public resource. Paul Haertel