N.C. striper deaths could be cause of Illegal fishing
Thousands of dead striped bass off the Dare County coast could be signs of illegal fishing, according to U.S. Coast Guard officials.
Fishermen frequently pursue the striped bass population beyond the authorized state waters three mile offshore, according to a release from the U.S. Coast Guard 5th District.
Atlantic striped bass may not be caught, harvested or possessed in a zone between three and 200 nautical miles from shore. A person caught fishing for striped bass outside of three nautical miles is subject to fines starting at $100 per fish, according to the release.
Reports of thousands of dead striped bass floating in the ocean began circulating Saturday around Dare County. Photos of dead fish were electronically circulated, prompting Division of Marine Fisheries and the Coast Guard to investigate.
And just what have they done that's illegal?These fish were caught in legal waters,using legal methods approved by DMF.
This is the result of resource mismanagement at it's finest.The majority of these fish were dead when they hit the deck of the trawler,due to being suffocated from the weight of the net.Regulation required these fish be thrown back dead in the name of conservation.
They need to set a poundage quota,fill it and kill it.Problem solved!Any overage can be deducted from next years quota.It's ridiculous!
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