Commercial fishing Nets on Erie

This past Sunday, I came out of Lampe, turned Northeast, until I got to the channel, then headed East between the red and green buoys. Just after I passed the last buoy, I noticed a different type of bouy that I believe marked, or was attached to, a commercial fishing net. There was at least one other of this same type / color of buoy, not too far away.
 
Am I correct that these buoys mark commercial fishing nets? If so, how deep below the surface are the nets? I don't want to catch one with the prop.
 
It was my understanding that back in the mid-to-late 90's, when we purchased the $3 per year Erie stamp, that money was to go towards buying out the commercial fisherman. But yet the commercial fisherman are still there. Obviously, my understanding was incorrect. But could someone please explain what the Erie stamps we purchased back in the 90s we're intended to do.
 
Brad

Amen!

Those buoys mark the perch lines of "The Last Commercial Fisherman" as he's known who LEGALLY operates from PA waters. The lines are marked by two buoys one at each end of the lines and are worth eyeballing to avoid driving through/over to avoid lost gear or fouling you and his lines. He runs an ugly old grey boat that looks like a castoff of the WW1 Navy to tend his lines. Best to steer clear!

Every state on the US side and Canada have a quota for commercial fishing. I think this quota is set every year.

Fang1 and worm_waster, very interesting information. Now I know. Thank You.
 
I do stay well clear of the buoys since I did not know what's beneath the water that they mark. But IMO, the bouys themselves could stand be made to stand out a little better. They looked like something the size of a football floating 1/2 in and 1/2 out of the water, with a skinny rod sticking straight up about 4 ft. They were a dark color. At least a brighter color and a flag on the top would help them stand out better.