Shaking my head.

[DZ]

The EEZ has always been the wild west where anything goes anyway. Very little enforcement. I have some boat fishing friends who are very frustrated about it. The only way to curb this is to start publicly calling out the businesses who routinely fish in the restricted area. If they won't enforce it then publicly embarrass the charter/party boats who fish there on Social Media. I think The Fisherman Magazine and OTW should run a story and document what is going on out there. Send a boat out there - get over the line and start taking photos. Your magazines are Journalism - you owe it to your readers to document what is happening not just complain with occasional editorials. Boat owners - time to police your peers who are fishing illegally. Don't complain and wait for someone else to be the heavy - do the right thing and call them out or turn them in.

[tlapinski]

Since posting this story yesterday, I have received quite a few different opinions on the subject. First off, and I don't really follow the logic on this one, a lot of people are unhappy that I put this story out there. Do you think that if it wasn't reported on then no one would know? I received a ton of phone calls on the subject over the weekend well before I even had a chance to fully research it, so word was already out. If nothing else, spreading the word on it gives us a chance at reversing the action.

Second, and this is a sticky subject, how would you feel about simply redrawing the EEZ line? The argument here is that in some places the line was drawn logically so as to not have scenarios like the dead space between Montauk and Block. Why not have a general sweeping line from Montauk to Block to the Vineyard and so-on? I am not saying I support or oppose this idea at this time, but it is worth discussing. Ultimately I'd be much more in favor of this idea than using budgetary constraints to eliminate enforcement as it does little more than further divide the fishing community.

[JohnR]

TLap - keep up the good work !

Originally Posted by tlapinski

Second, and this is a sticky subject, how would you feel about simply redrawing the EEZ line? The argument here is that in some places the line was drawn logically so as to not have scenarios like the dead space between Montauk and Block. Why not have a general sweeping line from Montauk to Block to the Vineyard and so-on? I am not saying I support or oppose this idea at this time, but it is worth discussing. Ultimately I'd be much more in favor of this idea than using budgetary constraints to eliminate enforcement as it does little more than further divide the fishing community.

State Waters, 3 miles, chips fall where they may.

The fish need a place where there is no pressure, particularly the big fish.

[JohnR]

There is money for it, just needs to be allocated so. Sucks this endrun happens.

Can RIDEM do anything on boats coming into state waters from fishing in the EEZ? Though the NY anglers (and others) would likely go around state waters

[tlapinski]

Originally Posted by JohnR

Can RIDEM do anything on boats coming into state waters from fishing in the EEZ? Though the NY anglers (and others) would likely go around state waters

That's one thing I am trying to find out. Several years ago there was the sting conducted by the DEM in which they busted boats for fishing in the EEZ. Sucks if it has to come to this, though, as the state is already burdened enough with enforcement. I am shocked every month when I get the DEM report to see all the crap they are taxed with. From vehicular to warrants to parole violations and the like, it's amazing they have any time to deal with environmental issues.

For example, this is form the September 2017 report:

Violation Citations Issued
State Property Violations (Parking, Alcohol, Disorderly Conduct, Dumping/Littering, etc.) 17
Motor Vehicle 1
Boating Violations 10
ATV Violations 5
Marijuana 3
Freshwater Fishing Violations 0
Salt Water Fishing Violations 2
CRMC Beach Violations 5
Hunting Violations 0
Total 43

[DZ]

Originally Posted by tlapinski

That's one thing I am trying to find out. Several years ago there was the sting conducted by the DEM in which they busted boats for fishing in the EEZ. Sucks if it has to come to this, though, as the state is already burdened enough with enforcement. I am shocked every month when I get the DEM report to see all the crap they are taxed with. From vehicular to warrants to parole violations and the like, it's amazing they have any time to deal with environmental issues.

The logistics of enforcing that area are daunting.

The bust you speak of was finally publicized and a few names were surprising - if I remember correctly I think at least one or two were prominent RISAA members who had also been active in RI striped bass management committees! Can you imagine that?

[Nebe]

Originally Posted by DZ

The logistics of enforcing that area are daunting.

The bust you speak of was finally publicized and a few names were surprising - if I remember correctly I think at least one or two were prominent RISAA members who had also been active in RI striped bass management committees! Can you imagine that?

no surprise here. look at the poaching problem...