Article in my local paper on November 16, Ocean Pines Independant, stated that the NOAA and
Md DNR "seized 2,702 lbs pounds of striped bass from a commercial fishing vessel". The boat was out of west ocean city and was fishing in the EEZ (Exclusive Economic Zone), an area 3 miles offshore that is illegal to fish and posses any striped bass. That was a one day catch and are also accused of fishing there the previous day with a total of both days catch of more than 5000 lb's in that area. I wonder as to how much illegal commercial fishing in our waters and other waters is occuring for striped bass,,,I beleive it's worse than we all think and must be stopped. I am glad the two agencies worked together too put an end to this act. If they were not caught, who knows how many more pounds of fish would have been illegally caught as the migration continues.