MARYLAND. – The controversy over striped-bass fishing regulations in the state has reached a breaking point. Several fisheries on the Atlantic Coast have teamed up to file a federal lawsuit.

This issue stems from state commissions imposing rules that would limit the catch rate of striped bass in the Chesapeake.

Delmarva Fisheries Association President, Robert Newberry, said this is the worst it’s ever been. “I can honestly say in my 45 years of fishing, I have never seen it this bad in Maryland with this governor and administration in 45 years.”

His group is one of the leading organizations spearheading the lawsuit. According to court documents, they feel the regulations shorten the fishing season. This means reducing the size of removable fish, and placing catch limits.

15 Atlantic states are involved.

State agencies think the regulations will keep the Chesapeake Bay healthy and fishermen more profitable over the long haul.

Roman Jesien is a Science Coordinator for the Maryland Coastal Bays Program. He believes these guidelines have positive impacts on the bay. “Especially on the East Coast. they are the major driver of the ecosystem. They process orange fish, they take crabs, and they keep those populations in check.”

Captain Newberry hopes the new executive order signed by President Donald Trump will help fishermen. The order focuses on strengthening American seafood production and moving away from imports from foreign countries.

“If there is no science to back up a regulation, and if there is a ridiculous regulation, it’ll get tossed out,” said Newberry.

Jesien suggests watermen put full trust in the scientist.

“They have a vested interest in, whereas the scientist rarely has that interest. They can use the models and available information to do their best in maintaining the population.”