Illegal Nets Reveal 10 Tons of Rockfish

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Illegal Nets Reveal 10 Tons of Rockfish

(ANNAPOLIS, MD) – In the last three days the Natural Resources Police (NRP) has found more than 10 tons of illegally caught rockfish (Maryland’s state fish) in the Chesapeake Bay near Bloody Point and Eastern Bay. This is the largest bust in nearly 30 years and according to the NRP the end doesn’t seem to be in sight.

“The Maryland Saltwater Sportfishermen’s Association is disheartened and outraged over the 10 tons of illegally caught rockfish in our own Chesapeake Bay”, MSSA’s President Vince Ringgold said. “We find this flagrant disregard for the law and our public resource deplorable. These illegal actions must stop”, Ringgold added.

Additional illegal nets have been found in the mouth of the Choptank but have revealed very few fish as they were captured not too long after being set. The NRP is investigating all leads and will continue its efforts to find these illegal nets and the people responsible.

“MSSA Leadership supports the efforts of our resource management and believes stronger penalties need to be considered in dealing with this problem”, Executive Director Dave Smith said.

With more than 7,000 members, the MSSA is the largest sport fishing group in the state of Maryland and has had great success in the protection of the rockfish and our anglers.

The Chesapeake Bay is the spawning ground and nursery for 75 percent of the migratory striped bass stock on the coast. Maryland is under continued pressure from the Atlantic states to protect the spawning grounds of this coveted fish and to ensure a sustainable fishery.