Maryland Closes RockfishTake For Commercial
WASHINGTON - The State of Maryland has closed commercial fishing for rockfish because of the alarming number of fish found in illegal nets in the Chesapeake Bay.
Maryland Natural Resources Police found an illegal "gill net" with a half ton of rockfish on Monday at the mouth of Eastern Bay. In yet another net, authorities found 300 dead horseshoe crabs.
Four other illegal nets were discovered last week. Ten tons of rockfish were trapped in those nets.
Because of the volume of fish trapped in the improper nets, authorities have suspended further fishing for striped bass (as the fish is also known).
Commercial fishermen are allowed to use nets to take a limited amount of rockfish. But, according to Officer Jeff Biermann of the Maryland Natural Resources Police, the legal nets may not be anchored on the bottom of the bay. Fisherman must use buoys and must remain in relatively close proximity of their nets.
Commercial watermen have contributed to a reward fund. $10,000 is now being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is illegally taking the rockfish out of the bay.
Rockfish are a managed species. According to the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, in 1982 there were an estimated five million striped bass. Because of successful management programs, by 2007 there were more than 55 million rockfish.Read More ...
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