FISHING PROTECTION LAWS
 
Updated: 01 JAN 1998
 
As most of you know, there are forces at work to ban fishing.  There
are persons and organizations that will undertake many means to stop us
from fishing.
 
Fortunately, fisherman and other outdoors persons, contribute many
resources to help protect out environment and natural resources. Also,
many states are enacting laws that specifically protect fishermen.
 
I am gathering information on which states have laws that protect fishermen.
Most states have laws against disorderly conduct, etc. and some have
laws that protect fish themselves which are useful in protecting fishermen
and fishing.
 
So far I have gathered the following information. I understand that 40 of
the 50 states have laws that protect fishing and fishermen. If you know of
other state laws that protect fishermen and fishing please add to this list
by replying back to me and I will add it.
 
Thanks.
 
AL: 1995 - legislation which would guarantee Alabaman the right to hunt
    and fish in accordance with the law. It is a violation to harass
    anyone legally fishing.
 
ME: Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Law, Chapter 710,
    section 7541 "Harassment of Hunters, Trappers, and Fishermen" states
    that no person may willifully interfere with the lawful hunting,
    fishing or trapping of a wild animal, wild bird or fish or willfully
    disturb a wild animal, wild bird or fish with the intent to interfere
    with the hunting, fishing, or trapping of them.
 
MI: Proposed Fisherman's Rights Act: Prohibits a person from obstructing or
    interferring with anglers by throwing rocks in the water near fishing
    lines or speeding by in boats. Violators would be punished by a $500-1000
    fine and up to 90 days in jail.
 
MO: Missouri Revised Statutes: 578.151: Any person who intentionally 
interferes
    with the lawfully taking of widlife by another is guity of the crime of
    interference with the lawful hunting or trapping in the first degree.
    It shall be considered a violation of this section to intentionally
    harass, drive, or disturb any game animal for the purpose of disrupting
    lawful hunting or trapping. Interference with lawful hunting or trapping
    in the first degree is a class A misdemeanor.
    578.152 stated that any person who enters or remains in a hunting or
    trapping area where lawful hunting or trapping may occur with the intent
    to interfere with the lawful taking of wildlife is guilty of the crime
    of interference with lawful hunting or trapping in the second degree.
    Interference with lawful hunting or trapping in the second degree is a
    class B misdemeanor.
 
NH: State of New Hampshire Fish and Game Laws RSA 207:57 states that no
    person shall purposely obstruct or impede the participation of any
    individual in the lawful activity of hunting, fishing, or trapping,
    while that individual is in a designated huning area on public lands.
    No person shall remain in a designated hunting area on any state lands
    with the intent to purposely obstruct or impede the participation of
    any individual in the lawful activity of hunting fishing, or trapping.
 
NJ: No person may, for the purpose of hindering ir preventing the lawful
    taking of wildlife: (a) block, obstruct, or impede, or attempt to block,
    obstruct or impede, a person lawfully taking wildlife. or (f) enter or
    remain upon the public lands or waters, ... where wildlife may be
    lawfully taken. or (g) make or attempt to make loud noises or gestures,
    set out or attempt to set out animal baits, scents or lures or human
    scent, use any other natual or artificial visual, aural, olfactory, or
    physical stimuli, or engage in or attempt to engage in any other similar
    action or activity, in order to disturb, alram, drive, attract, or affect
    the behavior of wildlife or disturb, alarm, disrupt, or annoy a person
    lawfully taking wildlife.
 
NY: A person would be guilty of interfering with licensed anglers and
    trappers if he or she "strikes, shoves, kicks, or otherwise subjects the
    licensed person to physical contact or repeatedly commits act which alarm
    or seriously annoy such licensed person and which serve no legitimate
    purpose.
 
PA: Effective 17 February 1997. Makes it illegal to harass fishermen.
    Violators are subject o a $100 fine and 90 days in jail.
 
TX: Harassment of hunters, trappers, or Anglers is punishable by a fine of
   $200 to $2000 and/or 180 days in jail.
   It is unlawful to use airboats or jet-driven devices to pursue and
   harass or harry fish.
 
VA: Prohibits any activity in or on the water in a reckless manner so as
    to endanger the life, limb or property of any person or in a willful
    manner to impede the lawful fishing for any special of fish or shellfish.
 
 
 
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