Lawsuit filed against ASMFC regarding haul limits

MARYLAND – A lawsuit has been filed by a pair of fishing associations, challenging a mandate against haul limits for fishermen.

The Delmarva Fisheries Association and the Maryland Charter Boat Association filed the suit against a mandate from the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission, which limits their ability to harvest striped bass by more than 50% of its norm. The groups claim that the amount of fish are by no means limited, and that the population is thriving, saying the mandate will hurt commercial fishermen financially.

The mandate goes into effect May 1st.