Several North Carolina legislators are seeking game fish status for three of the state's most popular saltwater species. House Bill 353 would give the special designation to red drum, speckled trout and striped bass, making them off-limits to commercial fishermen.
That's not sitting well with many commercial fishermen. But the bill also calls for three years of compensation for lost wages from not being able to sell the three species.
The bill, which is being lobbied for by the Coastal Conservation Association, has advanced past its first reading and now is in committee.
Supporters think two things might help its prospects: the large number of new legislators, and the negative attention the commercial fishing industry got after two large striped bass kills caused by the dumping of over-the-limit fish.
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