Posted by Devil's Advocate on July 15, 2001 at 23:24:42:
In Reply to: Speared Giant Black Sea Bass Photo posted by Chris on July 14, 2001 at 15:23:17:
I hate to rain on your parade, and while I would like to see this and other poachers prosecuted to the fullest extent, this BSB doesn't look dead. Until this BSB dies from its wounds, I don't believe a conviction would stand. Except possibly for the attempt to kill a BSB. However, let's say for the moment that the person who speared this fish did not intend to shoot a BSB and was dismayed to find that they did. The law requires them to return the fish to the water. Cutting the spear line might have been all they could do to release the fish.
What is needed is better education as to fish identification, so that this doesn't happen again.