Throw the book at them just like you would a commercial fisherman. These criminals are denying the rest of us the opportunity to take fish when the season is legally open. They are norhing but thieving scum.

Sounds like we may need some undercover non-descript boats on the water. Good job to law enforcement for really stepping up to the plate on this one! This is correcting decades of abuse by a few members of the watermen community.

With all of the toxins that are in the Chesapeake Bay, the Oceans and nearly every body of water in the world, I no longer consume seafood, because I don't want those toxins in my body. The effect of toxins are cumulative and are always harmful to the human body.

Eventually, people will be diagnosed in large numbers with illnesses that are caused by those toxins and then the Government scientists, who often lie, will, reluctantly, warn the public.

Set up charters with undercover agents. Video cam hats with audio..

OK, let's hear from all of the recrerational fishermen now that some of their own have been busted. They were the first and loudest to jump on the commercial fisherman last month, saying that striped bass should only be for recreational use. It seems the shoe is on the other foot now.

Maybe the striped bass should only be caught by commercial fisherman who are by law supposed to report all fish caught to registered weigh stations. Fish caught recreationally are not recorded, so you never know just how much they are catching. And if they are dumping fish at the first sign of the law, how many tons of fish are wasted, not even making it a charity kitchen.

Come on all you recreational groups, let's hear that is only a few rouge charter captains ruining it for all others.
Though you say it is all commercial fishermen are bad.

Some charter boats out of Rudee have been doing this for years. As an individual angler, I and most of my fishing friends, do not consider these charter boats to be recreational fishmen. They are doing for the profit and feel that they are entitled to do whatever they want--despite what the law states. About time some of them were caught.--NOAA should confiscate the boats as well.

I'm glad to see some of the people taking fish illegally have been caught. I, for one, will be happy to assist by reporting any illegal activity whether done by recreational or commercial fishermen. These fish are a valuable resource that should be protected and policed by all of us.

Most charter boats do the right thing as for those who ruin it for the rest of us place heavy fines, take their captain licenses ban them from fishing and put them out of business forever

RE-VALUE THE FISHERY

Dead is dead and illegal is illegal. It matters not what "group" is being represented by those that break the law. What this points out is the harm that is done to the species when "value" is defined by the fish being dead be it for charter or for commercial sale.

Profit is a corrupting mistress. Profit in the case of Striped bass is measured at the commercial market as price per pound while on a charter boat it comes from a limit being filled. The only common and corrupting denominator is that the striped bass must die for value to be derived.

Maybe we should RE-VALUE THE FISHERY? Create a healthy bass population that will sustain a robust catch and release fishery. This would mean there would be no commercial market for dead fish nor any money to be derived from filling a limit of dead fish on a charter.

It Would become a no-kill fishery whereby the only derived value would come from there being an expanded and healthier fish population.

THE VALUE DERIVED FROM A NO-KILL FISHERY CHANGES FROM THE FISH BEING DEAD FOR PROFIT TO THE FISH BEING ALIVE FOR PROFIT! Not such a bad thing maybe.

This investigation has been sore a topic for years. The charter captains have been warned, and warned and warned again, and yet continue going over line, dumping fish and operating in complete unethical, irresponseable fashion. They have gotten away with this for years, the federal investigation has been long overdue. Now they need to round up the whole group and make an example, it goes way past the few boats mentioned so far. This group of maryland , north carolina, Va captains have left a bad taste in a lot of peoples mouths, I hope they get a lesson that wont be forgotten.

As an avid recreational fisherman, I say throw them in jail.

To me whether you are a commercial fisherman, a recreational fishermen or just somebody who poaches, when you get caught, you should be jailed.

People need to be held accountable for the decisions they make.

Candus:

You are doing an outstanding job. If the striped bass fishery ever becomes plentifully, again, you had a large part in making that happen.

Sincerely,
Capt. Tom Hughes

A thief is a thief is a thief and should be treated like one. They should be held accountable with serious repurcussions - not just a slap on the wrist. Thanks for keeping all of us posted. We owe you a lot.