Southampton - Congressman Tim Bishop announced that he has introduced legislation in the House of Representatives to open a wide swath of the waters off Block Island to recreational fishing for Striped Bass.

The bill (H.R. 6092) would amend the Atlantic Striped Bass Conservation Act to allow recreational fishing for Atlantic Striped Bass in the Block Island Sound transit zone, an area of the U.S. Exclusive Economic Zone lying to the north and west of an invisible line connecting Montauk Point Lighthouse, Block Island Southeast Lighthouse, and Port Judith Lighthouse in Rhode Island.

Recreational fishermen are currently allowed to transport Striped Bass through the transit zone if they have been taken from other waters. The bill allows the Secretary of the Interior to limit the catch in the area should it be necessary for the conservation and management of the local Striped Bass population.

"Recreational fishermen have helped manage the Striped Bass population in these waters for decades, and I am proud to work with them on expanding the fishery," Bishop said. "Fishermen and charter captains in our area know these waters better than anybody in Washington, DC."

"On behalf of recreational fishermen and the Montauk Boatman's and Captain's Association, I'd like to thank Congressman Bishop for introducing legislation to open up the Block Island transit zone to recreational fishing for Striped Bass," said Captain Joe McBride, Legislative Representative for the Montauk Boatman's and Captain's Association, one of the largest organizations of charter boat captains on the East Coast with approximately 100 members. Capt. McBride worked with Bishop's office to develop H.R. 6092 at the request of Montauk charter captains.

Bishop's legislation is currently under review in the House Committee on Natural Resources.