Seems like Mass. had the same concerns. Below is an article from last year. Maybe what these guys are doing is illegal in Mass.
SoundsFishy, nice piece of work, thanks for taking the initiative.
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DMF proposes new regulations for netters, in inshore waters, even ponds
By Nelson Sigelman
Published: January 15, 2009
Reader Comments (2)
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The state Division of Marine Fisheries (DMF) has proposed new regulations that would affect the use of purse seines, surface gillnets, and cast nets in Massachusetts waters for harvesting menhaden, sea herring, and mackerel.

The proposals would affect all in-shore state waters, including Island water bodies such as Menemsha Pond, Cape Poge Bay and Martha's Vineyard's great ponds.

DMF says the regulatory changes will help codify and clarify a slate of various rules and permits that have evolved over time. But some fishermen are concerned that rule changes governing the use of purse seines would have a detrimental effect on important forage species.

The proposed regulations include: a tending requirement for all fishermen fishing surface gillnets to remain within 100 feet of the net at all times; permission for any person to use a cast net for purposes of catching bait species for personal use without a permit; a requirement that any person using a cast net for purposes of obtaining bait for sale to a bait dealer to obtain a commercial fishing permit; and permission for the use of purse seines in open waters for sea herring, mackerel, and menhaden.

Striped bass, a mainstay of Martha's Vineyard recreational and commercial fishery, feed heavily on all three species. Menhaden, also known as bunker and pogies, are one of the more popular and effective baitfish used.

For years, bunker were scarce. But that has changed as schools have returned to many areas including Buzzard's Bay. As a result increasingly fishermen catch bunker for bait, often using a cast net. Bunker is also available in bait shops for sale.

Scott Terry of Cotuit, a former Islander and experienced striped bass commercial fisherman, says the proposed regulations are confusing but demand the attention of recreational and commercial fishermen. He said approval would have devastating consequences.

"These fish can be found in vast schools in open water before seeking refuge in bays and harbors along our coast. Through the use of spotter planes, seiners can wipe these schools out while they are still in open water," said Mr. Terry in an email to The Martha's Vineyard Times. "At a time when menhaden are just beginning to return to Mass waters in any numbers this would be a tragedy with long reaching effects."

Mr. Terry said the baitfish are the primary food source for many valuable species in addition to striped bass -such as bluefish and fluke. He said any increase in seining activity would also result in more striped bass mortality as a result of bycatch. "This is an issue that should unite commercial and recreational fishing interests in our state," he said.

Dan McKiernan, DMF deputy director, said that the proposed rule changes have spawned some degree of misunderstanding. He said there is no change in the current regulations that would liberalize the ability of seiners to operate in open waters.

Mr. McKiernan said there is no evidence that seiners operating in open water are damaging fish stocks. Should that occur it would be addressed, he said.

No new permits will be issued for inshore waters, according to Mr. McKiernan, and Buzzard's Bay, now closed to netting, would remain closed. He also pointed out that one of the state's existing seiners is the main source of bait for tackle shops and provides a service for fishermen.

Mr. McKiernan said that anyone with any concerns is encouraged to read the memorandum that describes the rules changes and attend a public hearing, which are scheduled for6 pm Monday, Jan. 26, at theAnnisquam River Marine Fisheries Station in Gloucester and6 pm Tuesday, Jan. 27, at the Radisson Hotel on Plymouth Harbor.

Comments may be submitted by e-mail (marine.fish@state.ma.us), fax (617-626-1509), or mail (251 Causeway St., Suite 400; Boston, MA 02114) until 3 pm Friday, Jan. 30.

For a complete copy of the proposed regulatory changes go to advisories at mass.gov/marinefisheries.

Ah yes how things have changed since then my friend. The last thing I'd ever do is risk my personal well being over bunker.

The way I was brought up is to report an illegal violation to the proper authorities and they'd take it from there. Unfortunately "they" have their hands tied so it's up to us on what to do now. I opt to let the DEP work matters out and hope they have something planned. If nothing's ever done and they clean out the harbor then my personal view on a lot of things will change. Many others are telling me the very same thing, hopefully we won't be let down.

remember who the REAL problem is <----------------- see avitar

After reading through this whole post it would be interesting to view the video you got. Can you post it without any legal repercussions or liability?

Bunker raids by Massachusetts boats concerns DEP
Charles Walsh, Correspondent
Published: 07:07 p.m., Saturday, July 24, 2010

It was just about 10 years ago that former state Senator George "Doc" Gunther of Stratford finally suceeded in getting a law passed that banned commercial menhaden netters like Virginia-based Omega Protein from bringing their industrial-strength boats and massive purse seine nets into the Long Island Sound.

Since menhaden is probably the favorite food of striped bass and bluefish, it was a great victory for recreational anglers. But now a new battle over commercial menhaden netting, albeit on a smaller scale, is being played out.

Almost every day this summer, outboard-powered boats with Massachusetts registry numbers cruise around Black Rock harbor. Manned by two or three men, the boats use portable sonar to locate a bunk school in the harbor. Then, large 15-foot diameter-weighted cast nets are expertly tossed over the schools. When the nets are pulled in, more often than not they are full to overflowing with thrashing menhaden, known locally, of course, as bunker.

Estimates vary as to how many bunkers a single boat takes in a few hours of netting. Some say each boat takes 1,000 of the oily forage fish; others say it is closer to 4,000.

Whatever the actual number, chances are every one of those fish was taken illegally.

Once the storage lockers are full, the fish are iced and trailered to Massachusetts, where the bunker is sold to bait shops from Cape Cod to Cape Ann.

Thanks to that 2000 ban on the commercial large-scale purse seine netting, the summer population of bunker in Long Island Sound has stabilized, with small harbors like Black Rock's holding resident schools through the hot months. This contrasts with Massachusetts waters, where once-plentiful bunker schools are scarcer than porgies at a shark convention.

So where do the commercial Bay State netters come for their supply of bunker? Connecticut. Where else? Heck, it's just a one- or two-hour ride to those bunker-heavy Connecticut harbors.

The constant presence of the Massachusetts bunker boats has long annoyed local recreational fishermen, who use smaller cast nets to take a few bunker in the harbors for their daily trips in pursuit of bass and blues. Connecticut residents who sell bunker to local bait shops must have purchased a state license. These fishermen and bait shop owners fear that the huge numbers of bunker the Mass boats strip out of the harbors every day will decimate the finite number of bunker. There is some anecdotal evidence that it's already starting to happen. None of the Massachusetts netters appear to have bought state licenses.

The issue came to a head at the recent hearing on the proposed lobster-fishing ban at the Fayerweather Yacht Club in Black Rock, when local recreational fishermen cornered Dave Simpson, head of the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection's Marine Division. The locals urged Simpson to use emergency powers to shut down the out-of-state bunker operations. Simpson said by law, such emergency action is limited to dangerous situations that threaten human life.

A few threats of violence against the Massachusetts netter were reportedly posted on free-for-all Connecticut Internet fishing forums.

Since that session, DEP wardens have visited the Black Rock to watch the Massachusetts boats in action. A state commercial license is required to sell bunker or any fish caught in Connecticut waters. So far, none of the unlicensed Massachusetts netters have been arrested, because there is no proof they are actually selling their catch. What else someone would do with a few thousand smelly baitfishes is hard to imagine.

Simpson said Friday that while he worries that setting a creel limit on bunker may be "over-regulation," the package of marine regulations he will present to the next session of the State Legislature will include a maximum limit on the number of bunker that can be taken in a single day by any individual, recreational or commercial.

"The big question," he said, "is just what should that limit be? Is it 100 bunkers? Fifty bunkers? And what about peanut bunker? There are a lot of unanswered questions."

The questions will be addressed in a series of public hearings to be conducted before the Legislature votes on the regulations next spring. Those hearings could be held some time this fall or winter.

Contact Charles Walsh at cwalsh@ctpost.com