i'm working with an author who's about to release a book that reveals his observations and dealings with the black market sales of striped bass. It's brutally honest and in opinion very timely.
My questions to you folks here on SB.com are as follows (without naming names):
- Do you think there is a large black market for striped bass?
- Do you know anyone who is transporting fish illegally from one state to another in order to sell them?
- Do you know anyone who ignores the quota and takes as many fish as he/she feels they can hide and sell?
- Do you know of instances where someone takes lots of undersized fish and sells them to restaurants?
- Do you know fishermen that illegally target fish in the EEZ for sale?
- Have you ever called DEM or DEC to report a violator only to have no response?
- Do you think this illegal activity is having a negative impact on the health of the striper population?
- What do you think we need to do to help eliminate this problem?
I'm just trying to get a sense for how rampant this kind of activity might be. Even if you don't personally know somebody that is doing it, have you heard reliable rumors to the effect that "so and so" is selling to "such and such" restaurant? Is this only a problem in Maryland where they found 10 tons of stripers in illegal, submerged gillnets or does New England have it's share of poachers, pirates and bootleggers? Without naming any individuals or any businesses can you shed some light on whether you think this is a problem in your area?