In a joint effort Coast Guard and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration personnel have seized illegal striped bass fishing off Oregon Inlet and found one vessel with illegally caught fish that had more than 2,900 pounds of fish aboard. It is informed that the economic pressures being felt nationwide and the meteorological conditions driving the striped bass population farther off shore into warmer waters have set the stage for a situation that may entice fishermen to break the law, as evidenced by recent reports from members of the maritime community.
In order to maintain the long cycle of the striped bass population federal authorities are taking action. In response to multiple reports of commercial and recreational striped bass fishing within the Exclusive Economic Zone, the Coast Guard and NOAA conducted a joint effort to curtail this illegal activity.
It is told that the fishing for striped bass is permitted within State waters, but catching or possessing striped bass outside three nautical miles from shore is a violation of federal regulations. In an effort to catch illegal fishermen, the Coast Guard mounted a patrol within known fishing grounds off Oregon Inlet using Station Oregon Inlet’s small boats with the assistance of additional boarding team personnel from Station Hatteras Inlet.
They eyed fishing vessel Lady Samaira as it was heading back into port within the Exclusive Economic Zone and the team boarded the vessel to ensure compliance with both fishery and vessel safety regulations. Their investigation revealed more than 150 striped bass aboard the vessel. The boarding team documented their findings and relayed all pertinent information to NOAA for further guidance as they are the regulatory agency for this type of violation.
