One good roe laden female is worth BIG bucks and a number of men went to prison for taking spoonbill for the eggs from other states and without proper permits,etc.
There is just too much money to be made with sturgeon or spoonbill cavier for some folk to stay legal.
John,the poacher theory could easily hold water.Gill nets or snag lines placed under the surface would work for the fish and sturgeon roe is worth even more than spoonbill.
To keep line thieves from running my legal setlines,I often set them under the surface and free dive my lines so I don't have to drag them up and handle the weight.A poacher can do the same and keep things hidden but if he sees a warden coming just dump the fish in the water and a warden would have to have an idea to drag the right area for his lines.
I stay legal whatever I'm harvesting because I like to sleep well and when a warden pulls up at my house,I know it's for a friendly visit.:)
Fortunately, my brother always shared with me and gave me a pound or two (he could have sold it for $50-60 per ounce) of the stuff after it had been processed (a complicated process).
I've introduced this delicacy to many people who swore they would never eat "fish eggs". After a bite followed by a shot of vodka straight from the freezer, they couldn't get enough of the stuff!
Please see my post #122. It was meant for you.
Sorry about that.