Did you use your scuba gear on the illegal charters???

for all the MSSA backers that are turning this into a "ban all nets" campaign, do you really believe that banning all nets will stop "ILLEGAL POACHING WITH NETS"? It is illegal, I mean, they aren't doing it legally now, so why would they stop if you ban netting?????? Because it would be illegal?? REALLY??

I agree on this, its like banning guns to eliminate murder. There needs to be much tougher penalties and an incentive for self policing by waterman and buyers.

Why the personal attacks?

That's a joke right?

Reds it was not meant as a joke. Skip is the last guy who would set nets, and the back and forth is not getting us anywhere. I know you do not think its a waterman and respect your opinion. I am not calling for a ban on nets because that would hurt the honest guys. It also would not stop the illegal netting. Whoever set those nets is screwing every person who fishes for stripers regardless of whether its for a living or recreation. Lets hammer the people who set the nets and not each other.

I'd be glad to hammer them. Tell me who they are???? MSSA?, CCA?, Poachers?

DNR doesn't know, so my guess is as good as anyone else.

What I see are 2 lawsuits coming out of this.
one for the DNR selling the rockfish and keeping the money instead of giving it to charity.

The second for closing the rock season, with no proof, of who set the nets.

reds- there is actually a law (or laws) that allows the Law Enforcement Agency to Seize and sell the proceeds of "Illegal" activity. Like when the cars and trucks of Drug Dealers (with no valid income) are seized, sold and the money is put right back to the seizing agency. Also the cash that is seized in raids and such is put right back to the agency (actually it's not 100% but a large portion) that seized it.

The whole thing sucks for everyone. Not sure who screwed the pooch, but I bet the legal waterman are not happy about losing the rest of the season.

Sounds like a gray area here, because there are no persons arrested and the nets should have been pulled when discovered, instead of being put back.

If they don't catch the poachers, they get to keep the proceeds from the sale.
Looks like an inducement to leave the nets over as long as possible.

All of the illegal nets were removed by NRP and taken to Mattapeake along with the rock fish ( proceeds of a crime) This becomes property of the State (DNR) No need for any more speculation as the truth will be discovered in an investigation. This is a sad situation for all involved..........especially the rock fish...............Gary

see the video here by wbal

http://www.baltimoresun.com/videobet...Chesapeake-Bay

note that there are two videos back to back. The second one follows the first.

15,000 yards of illegal nets found last February according to the DNR in the video. Sounds like this problem is pretty big and not isolated. I do not remember hearing about this last year which makes me wonder.

That's exactly what I was thinking. 15,000 and no news "flashes" nor "big" catches.

My take - Either this was a set-up or the Striper population in the bay has drastically improved.

What's your take?

I think these nets were set by rouge waterman. Last year it would seem that the DNR wanted to keep this quiet which is interesting. It would seem the DNR is taking a different tact with the publicity of what appears to be a widespread problem.

If DNR had reported 15,000 yards of illegal nets found last February and they had as much media attention; do you think they could have passed the new PSCR restrictions?
Six rods, no stingers, crimped barbs, and originally calling for only 3 days allowed to fish; why the fishing community would have seen this as what it is; a rediculous proposal:rolleyes:.
DNR has become very proficient at playing the political game. I don't trust them:cool:. NRP did a nice job finding the nets, but DNR decided on the best way to promote the illegal activity. Last year no news; this year full coverage, sounds political to me Mr Marty Gary.
5th (Marty)

Wish I was better at computer search.

Going from memory - I think there was a few news stories about the found gill nets from 2009 and also 2010. Seems it was in Sunpaper or Fisherman.

A few nets are found each year - this from DNR.

I'd guess the poachers set them and in 2-3 days , haul them up. Does not give DNR much time to find them.

I remember clearly on TF - maybe 3 years ago - guys posted GPS numbers for a sumberged net off radar screens at Ches. Beach. They hung up trolling gear and brought a piece of the net up.

Same thing in Potomac - up near #5 marker. Guys were snagging.

I think DNR went and got the nets up.

Last years busts made the news too.

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/201...ck-hall-harbor

From the article:
fyi: 16,500 yards = 9.375 miles of illegal nets last year in the last week and a half of Feb 2010 alone!

Heck, Dont forget even last fall there were busts:
http://www.mssa.net/newsarticles/roc...Nov25_2010.pdf

DNR press release on the reward for the current theives: http://www.dnr.maryland.gov/fisherie...ill-Net-Season

Marty, I love your passion/obsession with PSCR last year :D
I agree with you though, don't trust DNR, but don't trust MSSA or CCA either. No matter what they say, they will always do what's in their best interest.

DNR is pushing several Bills which give them increased, intrusive police powers which they currently don't have. Don't you think all of this publicity is happening for a reason? DNR's pushing all of the buttons they can to get a favorable result on their Bills. If they don't come up with somebody who is repsonsible for these nets, I'm going to start believing the conspiracy theories about DNR having a hand in it.:mad:

Thanks; I feel I have to keep rubbing their noses in such a stupid decision:D.

As for trusting DNR, MSSA, CCA, or any organization, I think they are all suspected of being to "political". I believe the "grass roots" of the organizations are made up of good people trying to do an honest days work, but the upper divisions are made up of to many people who know how to "play the game".
Rham Emanuel expressed it rather nicely when he said "never let a crises go to waste". It clearly shows how politicians think; and why we should be skeptical of their actions.
5th (Marty)
Maryland: Restricting C/R - Promoting C/K :rolleyes:

Well isn't this just terrible news on several levels. I am pretty upset about this.

First, these guys should all be shot. They are stealing, plain and simple.

Second, they are cruel. I dont want to hear any more comments about how I should or should not handle a fish. They are straining the bay with gill nets for crying out loud.

Third, stop bitching about C&R causing damage to the fish. These poachers killed 7,000 pound of fish. C&R is not going to put anywhere near a dent into the fish population like the poachers. If we just enforced the existing laws, people wouldn't feel like we need more.

Lastly, and most importantly, I have perpetually used poachers as the number one reason why on my best day I am only medicore at catching rockfish. Fewer fish means they are harder to catch. Catching the poachers is going to mess with my most reliable excuse!

Seriously now....I hope they catch them all and prosecute them to the highest standard of the law.

Tim, it was actually over 20,000lbs in 3 days that is known..:eek:

Question is, how many other illegal commercial nets are anchored in the bay that the poachers will not retrieve due to all the publicity :(