Quote:
Originally Posted by piemma
We all poach at some time in our fishing careers. Most of us just don't get caught.
"Let he who is without sin, cast the first stone"
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You have to be out of your mind, Who is willing to go to jail for $2 a pound???
Assembly enacts stiff penalties for striped bass poaching
STATE HOUSE – Poachers beware: Rhode Island has new, stiffer penalties for those who catch more than the legal limit on striped bass, or try to bag those that are too small.
Under a bill passed by the General Assembly that has now been signed into law, the fine for violating striper limits in Rhode Island will increase substantially, and those caught could face prison sentences of up to 90 days as well as forfeiture of their boat and fishing equipment.
According to the sponsors of the new law, Rep. Peter G. Palumbo and Sen. Michael J. McCaffrey, the move brings the striper penalties in line with those for violating other game limits, and aimed at preventing poachers – whether fishing commercially or recreationally – from skirting limits for their own profit at the peril of the striper population.
“Striped bass are large, valuable saltwater fish, and there’s money to be made by those who catch them. And that’s good for Rhode Island, as long as people abide by the limits that are imposed to sustain the population,” said Representative Palumbo (D-Dist. 16, Cranston). “But the penalties we’ve had for stripers really aren’t a deterrent for those who want to ignore the rules and make a few bucks. Stripers are worth enough so that people are willing to risk getting caught.”
Under the new law (2011-H 5693, 2011-S 0972), which takes effect immediately, penalties for violating the limits on stripers will be at least $100 for each striped bass taken, possessed, or offered for sale, imprisonment for up to 90 days, or both. For the second violation, the jail time is the same, but the fines increase to at least $200 per fish, the state could seize any boat, fishing tackle or other implements used in violation of the law. And for third and subsequent offenses, the fine increases to at least $500 per fish in addition the 90-days jail sentence and forfeiture of the equipment used.
Previously, state law allowed a fine of only $50 per fish taken in violation, as well as a one-year suspension of the trap license of the person, firm or corporation involved.
Current recreational fishing limits on striped bass allow a person to catch up to two a day, and each has to be at least 28 inches long. For commercial licensees, the limit is 30 inches, although striped bass as small as 26 inches are allowed to be taken from floating traps, and there are further quotas and seasons.
The sponsors say the law isn’t aimed at the recreational fisherman who might unwittingly take home a fish that’s a bit too small; it’s meant to give the state a tool to shut down those who habitually flout the regulations, and to give those violators a strong incentive to stop breaking the law.
“The penalties for violating the striped bass limits need to be high because the market is such that a minor fine isn’t going to serve as a disincentive. For the health of our fisheries and the sake of sustaining the striped bass population for everyone for recreation and commercial uses, Rhode Island needs to deal seriously with poachers,” said Senator McCaffrey (D-Dist. 29, Warwick).