North Carolina Striper Slaughter

[Soundbounder]

This is really bad!!!

Examiner.com and various recreational fishing groups along the coast are up in arms?again?over the killing of thousands of striped bass off the coast of North Carolina.

In recent days, North Carolina commercial trawlers have been witnessed tossing thousands of dead striped bass overboard as they ?high-grade? for the largest bass while staying within the 50-fish limit. The wasteful practices of the trawlers have been captured on a video that has been posted on YouTube and making the rounds of sport-fishing and environmental groups.

Story and Video HERE

 

[R Socey]

Re: North Carolina Striper Slaughter

I thought Pres. Bush declared them to be a recreational only
species like the Channel Bass - Red Drum - Redfish?

 

[Soundbounder]

Re: North Carolina Striper Slaughter

I thought Pres. Bush declared them to be a recreational only
species like the Channel Bass - Red Drum - Redfish?

I think that only applies to Federal waters, not state. But it turns out these boats were in federal waters.

 

[Fly Rod]

Re: North Carolina Striper Slaughter

It does not apply to state waters. And as far as federal waters, no one is suppose to take stripers over the three mile limit. In some areas the three mile limit could be six miles or more as in some places along the coast such as where I live the three mile limit in Massachusetts Bay is taken from one point to another which may increase the three mile limit.

 

[dingbat]

Re: North Carolina Striper Slaughter

It is illegal to target Stripers for any purpose, recreational or commercial in Federal waters. The EEZ as it is called, start 3 miles off the beach and continues out 200 miles. Even recreational catch and release is illegal within the EEZ.

The waters from the beach out to the 3 miles line are regulated by the States. Eight out of the fourteen Atlantic States allow commercial fishing in State waters. Maryland, Virginia, and Massachusetts make up the bulk of the commercial harvest.

Red Drum do not have game fish status either. The Red Drum are managed at the State level and a sizeable commercial fishery exists in several States.

 

[R Socey]

Re: North Carolina Striper Slaughter

Thank you for the clearification - I hope they procecute the
bastards.

 

[Soundbounder]

Re: North Carolina Striper Slaughter

Excellent article by Tim Coleman

The Coming Striped Bass Collapse

This was written before this news broke.