Pennsylvania’s anti-fish poaching laws got tougher today.

Gov. Tom Corbett on Wednesday night signed House Bill 2293 into law. It will increase the maximum fine for illegally harvesting fish to $5,000 from $200 and gives the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission authority to revoke fishing and boating privileges for as long as five years.

“This new law will have an immediate impact on our ability to deter large-scale poachers from illegally taking fish,” said John Arway, Fish and Boat Commission executive director. “These are the individuals who deliberately come in after dark and take large amounts of game fish, often by using illegal methods such as netting or spearing in the streams. In the past, poaching was subject to a $200 maximum fine. Now we can hit violators with up to $5,000 in fines, as well as the cost of replacing the fish they illegally harvest.”

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Michael Peifer, R-Greentown.

From the news release: “The law creates a new section in the Fish and Boat code for “serious unlawful take,” which increases the penalty for harvesting more than the legal daily limit of fish from a summary offense of the first degree to a misdemeanor of the second degree. It also allows the PFBC to collect from violators the costs to replace the poached fish, and it increases the amount of time a violator can be sentenced to prison from a maximum of 90 days to two years.”

The commission said the Erie watershed will benefit in particular, since steelhead season sees major rules violations.

Corbett also signed House Bill 1417, adding waterways conservation officers and deputy waterways conservation officers to those who are protected under the aggravated assault provisions of the Pennsylvania Crimes and Offenses code. The law will take effect in 60 days.