Proposed Changes to Striped Bass Regulation - Striper Talk Striped Bass Fishing, Surfcasting, Boating

Suburban · 03-13-2021, 06:43 PM

My son, Brandon Chafee, is a CT State Representative and currently is on the Environmental Committee.

He sent me the following email to pass along to seek participation either by written testimony or testimony via Zoom as described below. Please read the proposed changes and pass along.

DEEP submitted a proposal to the Environment Committee to eliminate the enhanced penalties for violating striped bass sport fishing regulations, subjecting them instead to the general infraction. The reasoning behind making this change doesn’t make much sense to me. I have been trying to make the case that we need better enforcement of the regulations to preserve the fishing stock and protect the striped bass population. If people can testify to this, it will help this effort in the long run.

There will be a public hearing on Friday March 19th to discuss this bill, SB 929 An Act Concerning Penalty Provisions Relating to the Taking of Striped Bass (see SB 929). If you’d like to testify, the link to sign up for the zoom hearing will be available on Monday (I can send it out to those interested when available). Written testimony can be submitted by sending a letter in pdf format to this email address with the subject - SB929: envtestimony@cga.ct.gov

The current penalties for taking short striped bass or poaching are below:

Striped Bass Sport Fishing. By law, there are enhanced penalties for violating the marine district fishing regulations for striped bass (CGS § 26-159a). A person who violates these regulations is subject to the following penalties:

1. $100 fine for each fish taken or possessed in violation for the first violation;

2. $200 fine for each fish taken or possessed in violation for a second violation; and

3. $500 fine for each fish taken or possessed in violation, imprisonment of up to 30 days, or both, for a subsequent violation.

The proposed general infraction for violating striped bass regulations:

Marine District

Penalties for violating the marine district fishing regulations vary based on sport or commercial fishing.

Sport Fishing. Most marine district sport fishing violations are infractions that are payable by mail. The base fine is $35, but certain additional fees and surcharges apply, bringing the total amount due to $75 (see the Superior Court’s list of infractions and fines).

Please pass this along to anyone who may be interested. For the Zoom Hearing link please provide your email to

<brandon.chafee@cga.ct.gov>

Thanks,

Representative Brandon Chafee