My son, Brandon Chafee, is a CT State Representative and currently is on the Environmental Committee.

He sent me the following email to pass along to seek participation either by written testimony or testimony via Zoom as described below. Please read the proposed changes and pass along.


DEEP submitted a proposal to the Environment Committee to eliminate the enhanced penalties for violating striped bass sport fishing regulations, subjecting them instead to the general infraction. The reasoning behind making this change doesn’t make much sense to me. I have been trying to make the case that we need better enforcement of the regulations to preserve the fishing stock and protect the striped bass population. If people can testify to this, it will help this effort in the long run.

There will be a public hearing on Friday March 19th to discuss this bill, SB 929 An Act Concerning Penalty Provisions Relating to the Taking of Striped Bass (see SB 929). If you’d like to testify, the link to sign up for the zoom hearing will be available on Monday (I can send it out to those interested when available). Written testimony can be submitted by sending a letter in pdf format to this email address with the subject - SB929: envtestimony@cga.ct.gov

The current penalties for taking short striped bass or poaching are below:


Striped Bass Sport Fishing. By law, there are enhanced penalties for violating the marine district fishing regulations for striped bass (CGS § 26-159a). A person who violates these regulations is subject to the following penalties:

1. $100 fine for each fish taken or possessed in violation for the first violation;

2. $200 fine for each fish taken or possessed in violation for a second violation; and

3. $500 fine for each fish taken or possessed in violation, imprisonment of up to 30 days, or both, for a subsequent violation.



The proposed general infraction for violating striped bass regulations:


Marine District

Penalties for violating the marine district fishing regulations vary based on sport or commercial fishing.



Sport Fishing. Most marine district sport fishing violations are infractions that are payable by mail. The base fine is $35, but certain additional fees and surcharges apply, bringing the total amount due to $75 (see the Superior Court’s list of infractions and fines).



Please pass this along to anyone who may be interested. For the Zoom Hearing link please provide your email to

<brandon.chafee@cga.ct.gov>


Thanks,



Representative Brandon Chafee

Good lord. Wonder what the reasons are to propose those changes. Appreciate the info.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Is this just Conn looking at changing the fines they impose I can see 1st offensive 1 fish 35 bucks but get caught with 15 illegal fish still 35 bucks crazy
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Is this just Conn looking at changing the fines they impose I can see 1st offensive 1 fish 35 bucks but get caught with 15 illegal fish still 35 bucks crazy
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

This is CT but hopefully there will be a positive outcome and an example will be set for other states to follow as well. Unfortunately there is a lack of enforcement that is contributing to the decline of this already troubled fishery.

Good lord. Wonder what the reasons are to propose those changes. Appreciate the info.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Supposedly to align with fines for other species and make it harder for offenders to beat the rap. Sounds like total BS to me.

Low priority on the Tree Huggers list,,, save the seals

This initially came up in January, 2020. At that time I wrote the following on the subject after speaking with a DEEP representative: https://www.thefisherman.com/article/proposed-change-in-striped-bass-enforcement/

The problem as the law is written, as noted in my editor's log, is that with the higher fine associated with the misdemeanor it needs to go to court to be issued, and we all now where fishery violations go when they go to court (straight out the window!). With the fine being dropped but issued as an infraction it falls in line with other species in CT and actually has a grater result. You actually get more out of less.

I would hope there is a way to get more out of more. I made a call on a guy that was a bit too loose lipped with me for his own good. I heard from someone who was acquainted with him that he did get picked up. There is a very urban spot that gets loaded for days to weeks in the fall with shorts You could probably, with no hyperbole, walk in a grab fish by hand. He told me he had been getting $2 a fish from a woman who runs a restaurant and had been making up to $100 a day for the prior two weeks. She would take all she could get and he would load whatever he could carry on his bike and make several trips. I watched him throw an 18" fish in the weeds so I left and made the call. I'm sure that goes on all over the place. If his only risk is $35 fine, he has nothing to lose.

This initially came up in January, 2020. At that time I wrote the following on the subject after speaking with a DEEP representative: https://www.thefisherman.com/article/proposed-change-in-striped-bass-enforcement/

The problem as the law is written, as noted in my editor's log, is that with the higher fine associated with the misdemeanor it needs to go to court to be issued, and we all now where fishery violations go when they go to court (straight out the window!). With the fine being dropped but issued as an infraction it falls in line with other species in CT and actually has a grater result. You actually get more out of less.

Toby,

Thank you for providing your insight and clarification on this issue.
Although I feel that the penalties for violators should be much harsher
as most do, this seems to be headed in a positive direction.

I would hope there is a way to get more out of more. I made a call on a guy that was a bit too loose lipped with me for his own good. I heard from someone who was acquainted with him that he did get picked up. There is a very urban spot that gets loaded for days to weeks in the fall with shorts You could probably, with no hyperbole, walk in a grab fish by hand. He told me he had been getting $2 a fish from a woman who runs a restaurant and had been making up to $100 a day for the prior two weeks. She would take all she could get and he would load whatever he could carry on his bike and make several trips. I watched him throw an 18" fish in the weeds so I left and made the call. I'm sure that goes on all over the place. If his only risk is $35 fine, he has nothing to lose.
It will be testimony like this ( if enough people participate) that will lead to positive change and put an end to this kind of s..., Nothing can ruin a good days fishing like witnessing something like that.