Minnesota Moves to Limit Underwater Cameras

The Minnesota Senate's Environment and Natural Resources Committee has taken the first step toward making it illegal to use underwater video cameras while fishing. The bill, which likely will be amended into a more far-reaching game-and-fish package, still must pass both houses of the Legislature. Lawmakers have amended it to make exceptions for producers of television shows on fishing and educational videos.

The camera that prompted the legislation, Aqua-Vu, enables users to detect and identify fish. Supporters of the video equipment said cameras are a logical extension of fishing technology that already includes sophisticated electronic fish finders.