[capt.george]

--Tom , I tried to get your PM up in search , but ole Dummie me failed --There is a post on Ches. angler on fishing in the Commonwealth , ofshore & dumping fish --My Question Is Does Va. Allow Culling of Stripers , offshore? An answer to my post would be Great --Geo. Thanks as Usual & I hope all is well in the Land of Peanuts & Hogs--Love them Smithfield Hams!!!

 

[Mike Avery]

Commericial and recreational fishing for striped bass in the EEZ is prohibited so naturally the culling in the EEZ would also be illegal. It's a federal offense but Virginia law enforement can and should enforce it. Of course if they are poaching in the EEZ which is already illegal and this makes them criminals, as a criminal with low morals and standards, just like any petty thief, they probably have no problem culling in the EEZ.

Executive Order: Protection of Striped Bass and Red Drum Fish Populations

 

[rusty1652]

Commericial and recreational fishing for striped bass in the EEZ is prohibited so naturally the culling in the EEZ would also be illegal. It's a federal offense but Virginia law enforement can and should enforce it. Of course if they are poaching in the EEZ which is already illegal and this makes them criminals, as a criminal with low morals and standards, just like any petty thief, they probably have no problem culling in the EEZ.

Executive Order: Protection of Striped Bass and Red Drum Fish Populations

:thumbup: Hmmmm... Since he wanted his answer from Tom I won't bother. However you did just fine Fishdad!!!

 

[Tom Powers]

What he said regarding federal waters. . . but to answer your question regarding Virginia Law in Virginia waters. There is no specific law regarding culling of fish in Virginia saltwater regulations.

What most laws say is something like:

C. It shall be unlawful for any person fishing recreationally to possess land and retain any striped bass in excess of the possession limit applicable for the area and season being fished within the 24-hour period of 12 a.m. through 11:59 p.m. Striped bass taken in excess of the possession limit shall be returned to the water immediately.

Here is the loophole. What if I haven't got my boat limit yet? Lots of folks use live wells to release (cull) fish alive and healthy. Others with less ethics will cull dead fish out of a cooler. As long as that extra fish does not go into a cooler before you take the dead one out, I don't know how an officer can write you a ticket without more or less being on the boat.

There is a law that says you can not gaff a striper. You can not fillet a striper at sea. Others like flounder can be filleted at sea but you have to keep the carcus in order to prove that the fish was legal size.

Oh and striped bass regulations are unique in the "while fishing" clause. For most all fish possession with undersized fish for the area where you are will get you a ticket, whether you are fishing or not.

 

[Diamond Ring]

What would be the differance? A couple years ago the FLW tourney was aloud to put them in holding tubes to be released when a bigger fish was caught.

 

[Tom Powers]

For the EEZ it is illegal to fish for or possess striped bass in the EEZ.. . .

In state waters The point that I was trying to make is that as long as you are below your vessel possession limit (assuming that the fish are held in common) it is probably not technically illegal to cull fish. Once you reach your possession limit the law says all fish must be returned to the water immediately. That is the legal part.

It is a question of ethics when it comes to how healthy the fish are when someone culls them out of a live well or cooler.

I have never heard of anyone getting a ticket for culling fish that are legal to possess within state waters.

 

[kayakkevin]

hey tom, i got another question for ya.
is there any thought in cutting the limit of specks? like 5 per person?

 

[Tom Powers]

It has not been discussed at any meeting which I have attended. I could not imagine it getting popular support unless there was a similar cut to the commercial quota, the concept of which would most probably get some major objections by the haul seine fishermen.

 

[kayakkevin]

we have so many big breeding specks taken out nowadays, i'd hate to see specks dealt with to late, like the sheephead regs.

 

[red_fish]

hey tom, i got another question for ya.
is there any thought in cutting the limit of specks? like 5 per person?

this would be freaking awsome and while there at it can they cut the puppydrum regs to 1 slot per day there are waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay to many puppy drum being killed in lynnhaven