FISH COPS' RANGE EXPANDED State marine officers can write tickets 200 miles offshore - al.com

FISH COPS' RANGE EXPANDED State marine officers can write tickets 200 miles offshore - al.com: "Using a newly passed law and big boats purchased by the federal government, the state Marine Resources Division now has the authority to patrol federal waters and issue state tickets for fishing violations committed as far as 200 miles offshore.

As a result, seven people have been ticketed in the last few weeks for various violations, including having undersized cobia, amberjack and grouper, possessing red snapper while snapper season is closed and possessing redfish in federal waters.

Russell M. Godfrey and Dennis L. Sculley, both of Orange Beach, were caught April 23 with 17 red snapper and three bull redfish in federal waters, about 16 miles from shore, according to state officials."