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For years, there has been confusion regarding striped bass regulations in the EEZ, otherwise known as federal waters, 3 miles and greater from the shoreline. Many anglers, although clear on the fact that it is illegal to keep striped bass outside the 3-mile limit, were unsure about catch-and-release activities, or hooking into stripers while fishing for other species.
The most common “rumor” has always been that the wording in the regulations stated that you could not “harass” striped bass in the EEZ. As shown below, this is not the case.
According to the National Marine Fisheries Service, the official regulation regarding striped bass in the EEZ reads as follows:
(b) Atlantic striped bass fishery. In addition to the prohibitions set forth in
§600.725, the following prohibitions apply. It is unlawful for any person to do any of the following:
(1) Fish for Atlantic striped bass in the EEZ.
(2) Harvest any Atlantic striped bass from the EEZ.
(3) Possess any Atlantic striped bass in or from the EEZ, except for the following area: The EEZ within Block Island Sound, north of a line connecting Montauk Light, Montauk Point, NY, and Block Island Southeast Light, Block Island, RI; and west of a line connecting Point Judith Light, Point Judith, RI, and Block Island Southeast Light, Block Island, RI. Within this area, possession of Atlantic striped bass is permitted, provided no fishing takes place from the vessel while in the EEZ and the vessel is in continuous transit.
(4) Retain any Atlantic striped bass taken in or from the EEZ.
The regulation goes on to define "fishing" as:
(A) the catching, taking, or harvesting of fish;
(B) the attempted catching, taking, or harvesting of fish;
(C) any other activity that can be reasonably expected to result in the catching, taking, or harvesting of fish; or
(D) any operations at sea in support of, or in preparation for, any activity described in subparagraphs (A) through (C).
Such terms do not include any scientific research activity or the catching, taking, or harvesting of fish in an aquaculture operation.
