The Virginian-Pilot
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OREGON INLET, N.C.
A federal official said he's preparing to fine the owner of a trawler for illegally catching nearly 3,000 pounds of striped bass.
The penalty is likely to be the first - and largest - in a series of recent violations against fisherme n for catching stripers in protected federal waters off North Carolina and Virginia coasts.
In the last two weeks, authorities have issued about 10 tickets for illegal striper fishing, said Mike Hvozda, a Coast Guard spokesman. Most were for recreational fishing.
The poor economy and weather conditions that are driving stripers farther offshore could be causing the spike in infractions, officials said.
Striper fishing is legal in state waters up to three miles offshore but illegal in federal waters between three and 200 miles offshore.
On Feb. 9, Coast Guard officials boarded the trawler Lady Samaira about four miles from Oregon Inlet and found 150 stripers, officials said. The boat is from Swan Quarter.
A fine is imminent, investigators said.
"It's on my desk," said Paul Raymond, an agent with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "It's going to be forwarded with a recommendation for a penalty."
Raymond declined to comment on the Samaira case specifically but said "unscrupulous" fishermen have taken advantage of the fact that striper fishing is legal in state waters. Without electronic readings of vessels coming into the port, it can be hard to prove where the fish were caught, he said.
Penalties can range from $100 a fish to tens of thousands of dollars, he said.
Last week, two boats about five miles off Bodie Island were cited, respectively, for possession of four and 10 illegal stripers.
Catherine Kozak, (252) 441-1711, cate.kozak@pilotonline.com
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striper fishing
I do not understand Paul Raymond's comment that it is hard to prove where a striped bass is caught. It is illegal to be in possession of a striped bass in Federal waters, it does not matter where it was caught. You can not have a striped bass in your boat pass the three mile state limit.
Good, it's about time these rapers of our waters were caught
"Striper fishing is legal in state waters up to three miles offshore but illegal in federal waters between three and 200 miles offshore."
Max fine 'em. That we can do.
Here is another idea for the federal and state legislators; confiscate their boats permanently and jail 'em for a few weeks just like drug dealers.
They ocean rapers could possibly get the message then.
Recreational vs Commercial
Recreational vs Commercial equals approximately 3 fish vs about 75 fish if the average 45 pound fish was on the trawler. Omega catches that many in their nets per hour when targeting menhaden (striper food). But the feds target the recreational fishermen for the easy money (fines). They don't care about protecting the fisheries, it's all about the money and power. By the way, bad economy means trying to catch more fish from the ocean, rather than paying premium dollars for illegal fish in the grocery stores.
Catching illegal stripers
I'd like to see as much effort going towards catching people who bring in illegal people as there is in catching fishermen who bring in illegal fish.
Poor economy
Does this article really say that the poor economy is making the fish swim father offshore so the can eat?? What the H_ _ _ does the economy have to do with where the fish swim???
they're heading for the oil and gas platforms
They're in the money now!
They need to find
some bigger fish to fry!
Stripers
Why not treat them like drug runners. Take the boat, fish and levy HEAVY fines.
Haha
I thought the headline read "illegal strippers", boy was I disappointed.