New Law Imposes Stiff Fines, Jail Time for Over-Fishing Striped Bass

A new law that was passed last week will impose tougher fines and possibly even jail time for fishermen who catch more than the legal limit or undersized striped bass.

According to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, first-offense charges include a fine of at least $100 per fish taken (the fine was previously $50) as well as the potential for imprisonment of up to 90 days in jail. But DEM reminds those who fish that the new penalties are not created for your everyday fisherman who takes home a fish a little undersized. 

"The law is not meant to target the incidental fishermen who occasionally take home a fish that's 27 and three quarter inches long. The law is for people who take an overload of striped bass, those who are hiding them in secret storage compartments and those who are fishing in Rhode Island and are bringing fish back to MA to sell them." an Environmental Officer said. 

DEM also says the new law will not change the way officers enforce the law. Officers will continue to patrol the waters and can board boats to make sure boat operators have saltwater licenses and are compliant with fishing laws. The current recreational fishing limit is two striped bass per person and the fish must be at least 28 inches long.

"The thing that’s nice about [the law] is that it's an increased deterrent and it has provisions in there for repeat offenders," said Deputy Chief Kurt Blanchard.

Blanchard says that the new law should make compliance much better because not only is there an out of pocket penalty and possible jail time, but repeat offenders could lose equipment, including their boat. 

According to DEM, the new law was sparked by a grassroots effort by the Salt Water Anglers Association after following up with some severe cases of over fishing that were investigated by DEM. From there, the association contacted local legislators who worked to push the law through in Rhode Island. 

To read more about the law, click here.