Stripers for Recreational Anglers Only Law

[happy2fish]

Congressman Tom Allen of Maine and Representatiave Frank Pallone of New Jersey proposed legislation that Striped bass be in a "game fish only" class, making it illegal for commercial harvesting.

According to Congressman Allen the species is more valuable as a recreational fish and when it becomes unlawful to commercially fish for the striped bass it will have a chance to rebuild its population.

At this point in time, Maine, New Hampshire, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and South Carolina prohibit commercial fishing for striped bass; while Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New York, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina still commercially fish for the species.

[Sam]

Its amazing that people can still make a living by fishing commercially. I certainly don't know the "ins and outs" of it, but it seems like an awful lot of work, time, maintenance and money.

[ERF]

Both Mass and Rhode Island have groups actively pushing for the Game fish status of Striped Bass.
There is a bill, now in commitee, gaining a lot of support from the recreational angler organizations.
If Mass goes Game Fish, Rhode Island follows soon after.