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The factors that affect the fish are staggering. Com fishing, rec fishing pollutants in the water etc etc. They all have an effect on the population, health etc etc. IMHO the fish traps should be outlawed. I am not ranting about the Com gut's they need to make a living just like you and me so please don't take it that way. There needs to be smaller limits set on forage fish. They have been hit so hard for so long that EVERY predator fish out there is having a harder time finding food. Bycatch is a real problem but personally I don't think there is a way to control it, its not the com guy's fault if a striper ends up in his net, they cant avoid it. There needs to be strict enforcement of the law's for both the Com and Rec fishermen. This is hard to do with limited funding for the DEM, they have only so many people to patrol. Personally I think the rec fishermen are the worst offender's when it come to this. We all know trash is a problem as well as property destruction, this is hard to enforce due to the fact that they have to be caught in the act. Over limit and short fish are a little easier because the evidence is right there for all the world to see. Give them a fine every time, no warnings hammer them and do it hard. This is the only way to stop it, explaining the law in a rational manner to an A$$ will not work. I have seen people get caught and let off with a warning and what do they do? They say what an A$$ the EP was and go right back to it. Here is your fine, here is your summons to court, put you gear in the truck if you want it back you can have it after you court date. thank you have a good night. This is the only case I would ever support a lic in, first all the money MUST go to the DEM, second I your caught you lose your lic and will be arrested on the spot if you are caught fishing again. As far as pollution goes, well the EPA MUST come down hard. Make the fines hurt not feel like a flea bite plain and simple. Individuals are just as bad as corporations with the stuff they will dump into the ground, storm drain and god knows where else...
Well I would rant more but I do have work to do so I'll put the soap box back where I found it.
KL
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