Coast Guard, NOAA Urging Fishermen To Understand Striper Rules

U.S. Coast Guard Station Chatham, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and Office of Law Enforcement (OLE) issued a reminder Tuesday morning to all fishermen to comply with striper regulations after charter fishing vessels were found targeting Atlantic striped bass four nautical miles from shore, which is a violation of federal fishing laws.

“We understand there are a lot of rules and regulations out there for commercial and recreational fishing," Capt. Clint Prindle, Sector Commander, Coast Guard Sector Southeastern New England, said in a press release. "We are committed along with NOAA, Massachusetts Environmental Police and Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management to ensure recreational boaters, charters and commercial fishermen are educated and fishing in accordance with current regulations.”

The discovery occurred during after the organizations recently conducted charter fishing boardings for catching Atlantic striped bass in federal waters. According to the Coast Guard, Atlantic striped bass are only allowed to be targeted in state waters (up to three nautical miles from shore) and are not allowed onboard while transiting federal waters.

"Every year Atlantic striped bass migrate from warmer waters to Cape Cod Bay and surrounding areas to spawn," the Coast Guard said in the release. "Fishermen whether recreational, chartered, or commercial are highly encouraged to check federal and state fishing regulations on a routine basis to ensure they are not violating laws."

You can read more on federal fishing regulations here and Massachusetts charter and recreational fishing here