On Long Island Sound, discord over push for fishing rights

Striped bass fishing is allowed in state waters but banned in the federal area, and Rep. Lee Zeldin of New York says he wants to restore local control and common sense to fishery management.

Recreational anglers who catch striped bass legally in state waters sometimes stray into, or travel through, the federal exclusive economic zone, or EEZ, between areas south of Montauk, New York, and south of Point Judith, Rhode Island.

According to Zeldin's office, some have been fined for having striped bass on board because they couldn't prove the bass were caught legally in state waters.

Connecticut's entire congressional delegation signed a letter opposing the "misguided bill," citing the potential for "major economic losses" to the Connecticut fishing industry and a "major blow" to efforts to rebuild the striped bass stock.

Joseph Gilbert, owner of Connecticut-based Empire Fisheries, said in a letter submitted to Congress that the bill is an attempt to "disenfranchise Connecticut fishermen" for a small subset of recreational striped bass fishermen, who already have ample grounds for fishing within state waters.