Lacey Act violations are federal and involve violation of interstate commerce, meaning big fines, loss of licenses and equipment, and the potential for jail time. As an example, the charter boat captains down in Virginia that were fishing in the EEZ and were busted faced serious penalties that were prosecuted and enforced; if you go online, you can look up articles about the crimes and penalties imposed there.
Basically, any fishery violation needs to be taken out state jurisdiction since there are really no penalties and there is so much corruption and opportunity for corruption in state fisheries agencies. How can you have an EPO fishing commercially? They do in Massachusetts and imagine in other states as well. I once asked a Florida fisheries officer is he could fish commercially and he looked at me like I had two heads because, as he said, "that would be a conflict of interest." You think? But not up here.
By the way, the "conservation equivalency" BS that New Jersey pushed through the ASMFC Striped Bass Board allows them three fish because somehow in the world of fisheries management, three equals one - and please don't give me the hollow argument that be going for a larger size limit, you are keeping the number of fish killed down. Remember that allowing a state to keep more fish if they have a larger size limit means they are killing more brood stock - and how does that help anything?
There is no excuse: cheating is cheating and it affects all of us. And I don't want to hear how these commercial bass guys are good people; 99% of them would kill the last bass if they could. And that goes for charter captains who participate in the commercial sector using paying customers to do their dirty work.

RI has @ least one DEM officer that fishes commercial ><><

If his bosses have no problem with it & he isn,t breaking any laws .so be it ><>

Bart I kill my limit. I take recs out and guess what none of them release....and yeah you wouldn't be happy with my annual poundage. A different tune I don't sing Im not on here crying lol
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Throughout time, respect and rewards went to the anglers who could find the fish, especially the bigger fish. This applied to all, be they rec, comms, or charter. Successful captains were successful because they caught, and reaped the benefits be it money, prizes or booked schedules. These were respected jobs. If the statutes allow them to operate and take fish, I have no problem with them, or the jobs they pursue. Changing the statutes is another issue altogether. But if those choosing these professions also choose to skirt the law, they will get what they deserve, if caught. We are talking professionals, making money, putting their boats in an area. Indiscriminate enforcement does not make a witch hunt.

I just want to point out that the NJ 3rd fish (bonus tag program)...IS THE NJ COMMERCIAL QUOTA...NJ has simply decided that their commercial quota is more valuable to give to recreational anglers. The suggestion that NJ treats Striped Bass as a Gamefish is simply but, BULL #^&#^&#^&#^&. NJ harvests its commercial quota, it just doesn't allow those fish to be sold. They are the fish in the bonus tag program.

NJ's first two fish limit meets the scientific analysis and as an advocate who pushes conservation viewpoints based on the same science, even if I don't like it, I accept it.

That makes more sense. Thanks
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Do you really expect people to take you seriously with a post like this?
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I know Dave and he has a very good perspective and I can't argue with what he said either. There is a lot of truth in there.
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Paul, I have written articles about game fish status. I have been preaching this mantra for 5 years as have a bunch of other organizations. Game fish status ends the black market, the "grey" market, poaching, commercial take, illegal selling the whole mess.
Unfortunately, the PAC groups and special interest sector is too strong for us to ever win this in our life times.

Piemma. The probable truth is that if the fish was made a true game fish, you would see some people loose their boats, maybe loose their houses, marinas would loose dockage, bat and tackle stores would loose business, etc. I think that the black market is so prevalent and I also think that there are some people who are doing it so well, that they are making a chit-ton of money off of it...

That said, I'm all for it, but I think it would make for some serious wake up calls and ramifications.
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I guess I have a hard time with the "99% would kill the last one if they could" opinion...the problem is the rule breakers make a bad name for all the good ones that follow the laws and are responsible...he lost me with the 99%
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I agree he may have gone to high with that percentage and painted everyone with the same brush. I know lots of comm guys and I do know plenty of them are only about the money but I do know lots that do care about the fish first.
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Perspective In Perspective
 

In retrospect, I'm glad you called me on this and that Paul also called me on it. I should have said that "99% of the commercial striped bass folks that I know would kill the last one if they could" and I know that for a fact given our "discussions." As far as the charter sector that functions as commercial, when I have to listen to a "captain" out of Falmouth Harbor register concern about the fishing and then find out that he sold 256 pounds of bass that his charter caught and left behind for him, I have no patience for that type of BS.
I will, in the future, be very specific in calling folks out rather than using the paint brush technique; I agree that it does lump the few good ones in with the less than honest ones.

That's a pretty good tip
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Eben, I understand what you say but must respectfully disagree.

There is empirical evidence, ( the Snook and Tarpon in Florida)that, while there may be a immediate downturn in revenue for the sport fishing community, there is a decided upturn in revenue in the long run.

The Snook and Tarpon sport fishery in Florida is a world class fishery that draws anglers from all over the world. Both species have game fish status.

We are pandering to the community that sells fish legally and illegally. I have no problem with making a living fishing when the stocks are healthy. That's the catch phrase. "when the stocks are healthy". Only a greedy money monger would think there is no problem with the striped bass stock.
We are not at the stage where a moratorium is necessary but it will come if we continue on the current path.

it's the only way imo.

I think the big difference here is that striped bass is something people actually want to eat so it has a secondary commercial value beyond sport fishing. Additionally there is a farmed product that could confuse the regulation. You don't have either of those factors with snook or tarpon.
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Valid point.:humpty:

Actually it is not, snook is absolutely delicious.
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I've read that it is, but is there a market? Never seen snook on the menu down south or anywhere.
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Well, when is the last time you saw tautog on a menu up here,or even Black Sea bass? There is no commercial fishing for snook, so you won't see it on a menu. If however,you were to catch one,then you could enjoy a tasty fish.
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Aha, fair point.

Snook is definitely a tasty fare.
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Any idea when the other offenders names may be released? Also, where would the information be?

^^ good questoin.... where are the names of these "good guys"?

they have federal charges / they take longer , so the names won,t be released until they are offically charged //

they'll be up here soon enough

Probably because they already released the names they wanted to.
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Mike . the names that were released one was Federal but the arreat was 2.5 months old the other two were state arrests ><>