EEZ Bust

[bart]

Circle the wagons!

[Typhoon]

One of my coworkers got popped. Good kid, not a poacher. He willingly admits he fishes on the line. There is 6 knots of current there and you can't definitively say you weren't over the line. If he went over the line he was back on the other side fast.

2 people were charged with Lacey act violations. Those were the 2 they were after.

[ivanputski]

I'm a habitual speeder when I drive... good guy, not a criminal.
I sometimes catch myself going 85-90, but quickly slow down after.

When I get pulled over by the cops, I dont call "witch hunt" because thousands of other guys speed all summer long without getting a ticket.

[JohnR]

Everyone knows there is a 3 mile limit. Everyone.

Speeding is a great analogy to fishing the EEZ, a lot of people do it but it is still against the law.

Car Theft compares a bit to the Poaching.

I don't see how this is a witch hunt, witches (supposedly) don't exist. People fishing in the EEZ - happens all the time.

[DZ]

I'm not a boat guy and I'm curious as to why boats have to crowd the line or go over? With all the good fishing areas around Block why would anyone need to take the chance? I'm sure a lot of these guys are pretty good fishermen and know how to fish other areas. Easy fish? Black market fish? Why don't honest boat fishermen call these illegal boats and captains out?

[MakoMike]

Its my experience that almost everyone knows, at least approximately, where the line is. But when someone fishing around the sub buoy starts catching everyone just chooses to ignore the line. Good for the DEM to begin enforcing it again.

[Nebe]

This is George W Bush's fault!!!
(One of the few things he got right)

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[Dick Durand]

Based on hearsay, I understand a fleet of boats regularly fish federal waters. Perhaps DEM should make an impression on all segments of the fishing community that seek stripers beyond the 3 mile limit. This bust seems to have targeted commercial fishermen exclusively.

[Sea Dangles]

Ha, there really is no "on the line" there is however a conga line. Especially in July and August when it is not uncommon to see a 60' party boat fishing on the line. They tightened it up a bit this year and the MA comm guys who were going there found that out via clipped fins at the dock upon returning from fishing. I also know of at least one boat that was boarded coming back to MA that was overeating. Excuses are like a wholes but some are just insulting. I am sure all who were caught are thought of as good kids by some. Darkness is good.
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[bart]

I love how Cowhunter only shows up on here when there's some controversy he feels the need to throw his 2 cents in about. One of the biggest hypocrites on here, calling this a witch hunt, when he's called out other people for similar things But no, this is a witch hunt because it doesn't seem to affect him in any way, ie the Striper Cup.

No one gives a #^&#^&#^&#^& about your opinion...Go back to slaughtering bass because the law allows it.

[dannyplug1]

I am sick and tired of this bull. I would bet that everyone on this board knows someone either recreational or commercial knows someone who skirts the law. Commercial guys who fish on non commercial days and ice fish for the next day to sell, recs who take extra fish and knock on restaurant doors. Saying that someone who violates the law is a good kid is BS. Lets cut the crap a thief is a thief. And a bass thief is the worst because he is stealing from all of us. I hope they hang them. There is no need to cross the line just keep a reasonable distance and you wont get in trouble. Cant wait to see who is on that list. Hope they are humiliated, but I doubt it as people who violate game laws are generally lowlifes and don't care about any thing but them selves. and yes I am angry

[CowHunter]

The thing is out of the 30 some odd boats that were stopped that were fishing the eez zone why we're just the commercial guys singled out? All the rec and charter guys that were stopped did not have their fish confiscated. If your going to enforce it don't be selective. Any different than arresting all the black guys and letting the white guys go ???? So in the mean time the montauk charter fleet and everybody else will continue fishing out there. You crack down on everybody it ends. My issue is just labeling commercial guys when the rec and charter boats are doing same.
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[bobber]

I agree that the enforcement should be equal, regardless of what kinda license (or no license) everyone had.... once people started getting nabbed, I'm sure radio and cell phone calls went out to everyone out there

BUT- the comm's that got pinched have been profiting from their abuse of the law, and doing it on regular(ie-daily) basis.

if you're gonna grab somebody, grab the guys who are the biggest offenders, no?

[DZ]

Ken - I think its perception. So many charter captains who also commercial fish hide behind the "recreational/charter" label because it makes them appear better in public. To me you're either a comm or a rec and shouldn't be both on the same trip. Over the years it's our (recreational fishing) communities own fault for not distinguishing charter guys who are R&R comms for who they really are. I have friends, like you, and others on this site, in both groups. I think the divide is now becoming more pronounced, not only with R&R comm groups, but with the charter industry in general based on this past winters striped bass war regulations. The greater recreational community was finally seeing that not everyone included in the rec umbrella was looking out for the best interests of the bass, in the case of RI and Mass charters more like the best interest for themselves. This woke everyone up. If the comm and charter guys would just report who the bad guys are when they see illegal activity they would get more respect. Turning the other cheek to law breakers just puts all of your group in the same boat in public perception. I wouldn't consider someone a rat for turning in the bad guys, I'd say they were a patriot. If everybody in the industry knows what's going on illegally by certain captains - report it or call them out. It will help the industry as a whole by weeding out the bad guys who give the entire industry a bad reputation.

[CowHunter]

DZ, if you've seen SW ledge on any given night you see majority of boats from montauk and Rhode Island there. Mostly Rec boats, then the montauk Rhode Island charter fleet and then your dozen Rhode Island com boats. You don't see a single boat fishing inside 3 miles on ny side or RI side come mid August and on. It's been that way for the last 3-4 years now. How many "big busts" they have? It's a rather very small area to enforce and the fish are concentrated. On any given night there are 50 boats piled in there and on a weekend it looks like nyc. All I'm saying is that people are extremely hypocritical and quick for a public hanging of the dozen com guys that were specifically targeted while allowing the others to carry on day in and day out. I know a lot are expecting a public hanging or something but the reality is that the worst they get is a $100-$200 per fish or maybe just a warning. I can't speak about the individual that had a double limit as was not a first offense and is also facing state penalties. Most that were caught in the "sting" have fished over 40 years violation free. We don't have com guys in NJ, so every year when recs get busted fishing eez here in NJ it's no big deal cause it's recs and of course they can target striped bass in protected waters because it's catch and release or they didn't see the 3mile line on gps lol. There are a lot of Rec guys, some from this site that fish SW ledge on a reg basis illegally.
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[Nebe]

Who's to say this isn't the first of more. You have to start somewhere and they started the other night.
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[Roger]

NUMEROUS VIOLATIONS OF STATE AND FEDERAL MARINE FISHERIES LAWS FOUND AS A RESULT OF DEM INVESTIGATION INTO ILLEGAL STRIPED BASS FISHING ACTIVITY

News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
For Release: September 23, 2015
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402

NUMEROUS VIOLATIONS OF STATE AND FEDERAL MARINE FISHERIES LAWS FOUND AS A RESULT OF DEM INVESTIGATION INTO ILLEGAL STRIPED BASS FISHING ACTIVITY
PROVIDENCE - Over the past two months environmental police officers from the Department of Environmental Management's Division of Law Enforcement conducted a multi-day operation targeting illegal striped bass fishing activity. The effort uncovered numerous violations of state and federal marine fisheries laws. "I am extremely proud of the dedicated men and women who serve in DEM's Division of Law Enforcement and their collaborative efforts with our federal partners to protect Rhode Island's marine resources," said DEM Director Janet Coit. "DEM is working hard to ensure the health and future of the striped bass population, and it is essential that we go after illegal activity to protect this valuable natural resource."

On August 12, 2015, DEM environmental police officers and agents from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Office for Law Enforcement (NOAA OLE) apprehended Raymond Jobin, age 72 of Charlestown for possession of striped bass during Rhode Island's closed season and attempting to sell these striped bass in Massachusetts. Jobin faces potential administrative charges in Rhode Island and has been cited for violation of the federal Lacey Act by NOAA OLE. On September 7, 2015, two commercial fishermen were arrested for exceeding the daily limit of striped bass. David M. Fewster, age 48 of East Providence and John E. Linton, age 65 of Narragansett both face administrative penalties by DEM.

Additionally, seven other fishermen were identified by DEM environmental police for fishing for striped bass in the federal waters of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), which extends from three to 2oo miles off-shore. DEM and NOAA OLE are working closely together on this ongoing investigation. Striped bass are illegal to take in federal waters. A total of 42 striped bass were seized during this operation. . . .


It looks like this "witch hunt" nabbed some real witches.

[Sea Dangles]

Oh boy
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[CowHunter]

Yes Raymond Jobin aged 72, hard core criminal, be sure to set bail so he doesn't flee the state lol and trust me I never got along with the guy. Guess dimensia caught up:-((
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[CowHunter]

Just saying if it was this huge sting why let all the other boats go with bass caught in the EEZ?
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[Sea Dangles]

Is anybody alive that has caught more striped bass than Ray J?
Never mind what his bosses think.

Wait til you hear the other names that come out soon
RISAA hotshots
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[Guppy]

Trump fence/wall?

[JohnR]

Wow. Some big names so far. Hmmm.

Shocked (OK, not really)

[Green Light]

Based on my information, I can say that new technology is going to be exploited to enforce laws and regulations on marine fish! Poachers beware.

[thefishingfreak]

I'm not on the list I swear
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[Nebe]

Jack was popped a few years ago for having a few over the limit, and now this. Very disappointing
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[JohnR]

Originally Posted by Nebe

Jack was popped a few years ago for having a few over the limit, and now this. Very disappointing
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Yep. Disappointed to see his name there but not surprised. Long way in a little boat.

[BigFish]

RISSA Hotshots?? But will RISSA act accordingly??

[Nebe]

His boat isn't so little anymore. It's a sweet McKee craft.
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[DZ]

Well, I know all three - and not a surprise. You know what really gets my goat? Two of these guys have been involved in RI bass fisheries management decisions for years. I served with both of them on the RI Striped Bass Advisory Committee. They always "talked the talk" but obviously didn't "walk the walk". I never trusted them but they had the ability to to pull the wool over the eyes of many others.

"Integrity is not something you show others, it is how you behave behind their back."