A total of over 800 citations have been enforced this year by the Maryland Natural Resources Police to recreational anglers this season. Citing anglers with over 800 violations of the new striped bass rules passed this year.
“While the vast majority of Maryland’s fishing community is law-abiding and understands the need for our regulations, there, unfortunately, are those who break the rules,” Maryland Natural Resources Police Col. Adrian Baker said. “Our conservation laws are designed for the protection and sustainability of our resources, and we will stay vigilant to see they are enforced.”
Boats for Hire Beware
On a tip from local anglers they started an investigation that resulted in 6 charter boat captains being written numerous violations.
Just look at this list of charges as we can all expect the same scrutiny here in NY.
Those charged in the investigation are:
Brian Councell, Chestertown, operator of vessel Sea Dux:
- Failure to use non-offset circle hooks while live-lining or chumming for striped bass (6 counts)
James Harris, North Beach, operator of vessel Compensation:
- Possessing croaker less than 9 inches total length.
- Failure to comply with the condition of pilot program permit (two counts)
- Possessing more than 15 pounds of fish whose size cannot be determined
- Failure to use non-offset circle hooks while live-lining or chumming for striped bass (6 counts)
- Failure to retain carcasses of filleted striped bass until arriving dockside
- Possessing striped bass less than 19 inches total length.
- Mutilation of striped bass carcass to the extent that the total length or species cannot be determined
John Reynolds Sr., Marydel, operator of vessel Retirement Fun:
- Possessing striped bass less than 19 inches total length
- Using more than 2 hooks per line while using active line fishing gear (6 counts)
John Motovidlak Sr., Wittman, operator of vessel Dawn Marie:
- Possessing more than 15 pounds of fish whose size cannot be determined
- Exceeding the summer-fall striped bass possession limit
- Failure to use non-offset circle hooks while live-lining or chumming for striped bass (3 counts)
- Failure to retain carcasses of filleted striped bass until arriving dockside
- Mutilation of striped bass carcass to the extent that the total length or species cannot be determined
William Eason, Oxford, operator of vessel Dana-Kat:
- Failure to use non-offset circle hooks while live-lining or chumming for striped bass (8 counts)
Jesse Bolton, Dunkirk, operator of vessel Wild Goose:
- Failure to use non-offset circle hooks while live-lining or chumming for striped bass (6 counts)
- Exchanging a striped bass in possession to possess another striped bass (1 count)
If convicted of these offenses, first-time offenders face a maximum fine of $1,000, and second-time offenders face $2,000. Those charged also face the potential suspension or revocation of fishing privileges and removal from the pilot program.
“While the vast majority of Maryland’s fishing community is law-abiding and understands the need for our regulations, there, unfortunately, are those who break the rules,” Maryland Natural Resources Police Col. Adrian Baker said. “Our conservation laws are designed for the protection and sustainability of our resources, and we will stay vigilant to see they are enforced.”
Boats for Hire Beware
On a tip from local anglers they started an investigation that resulted in 6 charter boat captains being written numerous violations.
Just look at this list of charges as we can all expect the same scrutiny here in NY.
Those charged in the investigation are:
Brian Councell, Chestertown, operator of vessel Sea Dux:
- Failure to use non-offset circle hooks while live-lining or chumming for striped bass (6 counts)
James Harris, North Beach, operator of vessel Compensation:
- Possessing croaker less than 9 inches total length.
- Failure to comply with the condition of pilot program permit (two counts)
- Possessing more than 15 pounds of fish whose size cannot be determined
- Failure to use non-offset circle hooks while live-lining or chumming for striped bass (6 counts)
- Failure to retain carcasses of filleted striped bass until arriving dockside
- Possessing striped bass less than 19 inches total length.
- Mutilation of striped bass carcass to the extent that the total length or species cannot be determined
John Reynolds Sr., Marydel, operator of vessel Retirement Fun:
- Possessing striped bass less than 19 inches total length
- Using more than 2 hooks per line while using active line fishing gear (6 counts)
John Motovidlak Sr., Wittman, operator of vessel Dawn Marie:
- Possessing more than 15 pounds of fish whose size cannot be determined
- Exceeding the summer-fall striped bass possession limit
- Failure to use non-offset circle hooks while live-lining or chumming for striped bass (3 counts)
- Failure to retain carcasses of filleted striped bass until arriving dockside
- Mutilation of striped bass carcass to the extent that the total length or species cannot be determined
William Eason, Oxford, operator of vessel Dana-Kat:
- Failure to use non-offset circle hooks while live-lining or chumming for striped bass (8 counts)
Jesse Bolton, Dunkirk, operator of vessel Wild Goose:
- Failure to use non-offset circle hooks while live-lining or chumming for striped bass (6 counts)
- Exchanging a striped bass in possession to possess another striped bass (1 count)
If convicted of these offenses, first-time offenders face a maximum fine of $1,000, and second-time offenders face $2,000. Those charged also face the potential suspension or revocation of fishing privileges and removal from the pilot program.
