Quote Originally Posted by DarkSkies View Post
The gillnetters are the least damaging. A problem arises when gillnetters use net sizes other than statute allows, or if they target species they should not be catching.

I think there's a thread on here about this somewhere. I'll have to do a search when I get a chance. Or maybe a member can help me by doing that search.

My point: There are all types of commercial fishing. I think we as concerned fishermen need to know about them and the specifics.

In any event, any method that leaves big dead fish lying on the surface is something that should be looked at. We should all try to educate ourselves as to what the alternatives are.
Umm. dark, I don't think that gill netters can be absolved of guilt any more.
dark, this was posted earlier about submerged gill nets in Md.

These guys are total scum. Maybe it is only a few bad apples, but it seems that the bad ones are making it bad for everyone. I say we hunt the bad ones down and restrict them from fishing forever.

Wasn't there some thread here about that scumbag Salty tours? Doesn't he poach stripers too?

The point is, these bad guys are like a cancer. We need real old fashioned police work to track these guys down, prosecute them, and stop this once and for all. I for one am sick of reading about this and not being able to do anything.






Take a look at this article,


February 4, 2011- Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) just announced that the current commercial gill net season has been closed until the Department determines the extent of illegal nets and their impact on the remaining quota. The announcement follows the discovery of submerged nets near Bloody Point over the past several days that held more than 10 tons of striped bass.

The announcement was made by DNR Deputy Secretary Joseph Gill at an Annapolis news conference this afternoon.
“Today’s announcement demonstrates that illegal fishing that steals the resource from all Marylanders will not be tolerated,” said CCA Maryland Executive Director Tony Friedrich. “The Department, Secretary Griffin and Fisheries Director Tom O’Connell are to be congratulated for their swift, decisive action. Also, the Natural Resources Police should be commended for their hard work. We look forward to working with the Department and other stakeholders to ensure the penalties for these types of crimes are strengthened and those responsible are held fully accountable.”

While the gill net season would normally close at the end of this month or earlier if the allocation were reached, today’s announcement means all nets must be pulled now. The season could be re-opened later in the month if DNR determines that illegal nets nets are no longer a threat to the resource and that the commercial quota has not been caught, according to Friedrich.
Gill also announced a $5,000 reward for help in the arrest and conviction of those who have placed the illegal nets already discovered. CCA Maryland has added $1,000 to that reward.