Fines for fishing illegally for striped bass should be in the high thousands something like 25,000 for keeping short striper's to maybe 5,000 for each fish sold illegally. The dragger's years ago would fish inside the three mile limit make ten thousand for the trip and only pay a 100.00 fine now them fines are in the high thousands making it not worth the effort.
Down south fishing in one state the striped bass party boats fish in the EEZ. They contribute monies to a slush fund to pay their 100.00 fine if caught outside the three mile limit. Make the fines where it will hurt them in their wallet and even confiscate a boat or two.
Here when you have ten commercial striped bass boats fishing in the EEZ getting their 30 bass behind a dragger hauling back they scatter when the enviromentals show up and the cops only nab one boat and they get a slap on the hand.
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