Illegal Gill Netting

[klgladhill]

The CCA, MSSA, RFA and TF all have a massive amount of support and money.

Why don't they combine all of their economic support for 2011, make all tournaments a supporting charity event and purchase every commercial gill netting fishing license that they can get?

Then we won't have to waste money lobbying for the end of gill nets.

[C-Hawk18]

The CCA, MSSA, RFA and TF all have a massive amount of support and money.

Why don't they combine all of their economic support for 2011, make all tournaments a supporting charity event and purchase every commercial gill netting fishing license that they can get?

Then we won't have to waste money lobbying for the end of gill nets.

Kevin - If they were successful in purchasing (and then not utilizing) all those licenses I can see how it would stop "Legal Gill Netting" , but how do you propose that this effort would stop "Illegal Gill Netting"?

You see Maryland made it against the Law to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. I wonder why Homicides by Shooting did not stop? We have had very few Homicides committed by someone with a legal right to concealed carry....but we have had some......probably 1%.....sound familiar?

[27 sailfish]

I think the gill netters get a certain quota - in pounds of Rockfish.

Roughly 200 are licensed to use gill nets. It is not an equal share per boat . One boat might bring in limits every day while others only get a few fish.

Once enough pounds are checked in - season closes. One reason some set illegal nets early. They get a jump on everyone else.

Buying a gill net license would not help - quota is still the same.

Only way it would work would be to reduce quota by X number of pounds per license bought. Guess the quota could be divided by 200 to get a rough number.

One day it may come down to some type of buy out. A Rockfish stamp could fund it. Guys who want to catch them would have to pay.

[klgladhill]

Next entry, I forget tabbing and enter doesn't work here.

[klgladhill]

Kevin - If they were successful in purchasing (and then not utilizing) all those licenses I can see how it would stop "Legal Gill Netting" , but how do you propose that this effort would stop "Illegal Gill Netting"?

You see Maryland made it against the Law to carry a concealed handgun without a permit. I wonder why Homicides by Shooting did not stop? We have had very few Homicides committed by someone with a legal right to concealed carry....but we have had some......probably 1%.....sound familiar?

Stopping any illegal act is difficult because the actor already has the upper hand, however leveling the playing field changes the outcome. If we could buy up all the gill netting licenses, no one other than criminals would be gill netting.

27 Sailfish
Why would we care if the quota remained unfilled? Couldn't the Dnr simply ask the ASMFC to reallocate all the quota to conservation?

[Wild Bill]

If it were illegal to sell, buy, transport or use gill nets in MD, the criminals would have a tougher time gill netting illegally. I am sure there are various degrees on criminal gill netters. The extreme hard core may not stop, but I think most would. The NRP would have a much smaller group of criminals to deal with and there would be far fewer fish netted illegally. The few hard core criminal netters could be tracked in many different ways. I do not believe MD has to put up with this every winter.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
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Even in these severe economic times, it would not be difficult to raise the money for a gill net buy out. Criminals need not apply. Where do I send my check?<o:p></o:p>

[C-Hawk18]

Stopping any illegal act is difficult because the actor already has the upper hand, however leveling the playing field changes the outcome. If we could buy up all the gill netting licenses, no one other than criminals would be gill netting.

27 Sailfish
Why

OK - that's pretty much what they have done with Guns, so why haven't the murders stopped? Other then Police or Permit holders (Very few of which have committed murders) only criminals are carrying guns....but it hasn't stopped anything, has it?

[Hookin-Up]

It's almost impossible to get a conceal/carry permit in this State. Democrats don't trust law abiding citizens

[klgladhill]

OK - that's pretty much what they have done with Guns, so why haven't the murders stopped? Other then Police or Permit holders (Very few of which have committed murders) only criminals are carrying guns....but it hasn't stopped anything, has it?

I agree with you on the gun aspect, However people pulling gill nets out of the water would be alot easier to spot through my binos than some thug carrying a concealed weapon in a city of millions.

Since I'm talking about it, Do you really think the police are eager to stop drug dealers from killing one another? I feel deep sympathy and empathy for the families of the innocents lost as a result of weapons violence so please do not think I am heartless by stating what I feel.

The topics while similar are vastly different. Wild Bill and I can buy atleast one each, according to 27Sailfish we only need 198 more people willing.

Time to start a revolution. The powerful many set back quietly as the few run our lives.

""The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson

I am willing, who among you will lead us?

[27 sailfish]

C hawk - 18 Gun laws and fishery laws are like comparing apples to oranges. Maybe in a distance way related.

Kgladhill - I guess the quota could be moved / set off limits. The netters quota is a big chunk. Never seemed right 200 or so are allowed so many fish.

I been saying for years how big an impact poaching has up / down the coast on the Rockfish population.
It's not just a few fish being stolen. Sadly - the law abiding comm. and rec. fishermen often suffer.

[spynet000]

27 Sailfish
Why would we care if the quota remained unfilled?

If we did not fill our commercial quota here in the Chesapeake Bay then another state would motion to raise their commercial harvest limit to fill that missing poundage gap. If they aren't killed here in MD they would be killed in another state. Not sure if that's any better.

[Wild Bill]

Dave-<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
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It is true that that was always the comm argument in the past. We better grab ours because someone else will get it. Not sure that will always true with the current and future climate. It may be possible to do something truly amazing and just kill less fish. Perhaps we need some new thinking. There is concern from Maine to South Carolina about the striper population--certainly not by all but by a larger number of people all the time.
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[spynet000]

Bill,

I hope you would be right. I would love to see us do away with nets but if another state was able to increase their harvest because of it, I'm not sure that would help. Why can't these fish be regulated on a federal level? Would it just be too complicated?

[Wild Bill]

Good comment Bill. What is the relationship between MD DNR and the other coastal states with respect to determining annual quotas and regulations?

There are certainly people on here who can answer better than I. MD has three appointed commissioners on the AFMSC--from memory I would say Bill Goldsborough, scientist for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, Tom O'Connell from the MD DNR and Senator Richard Colburn. They each have a vote like the commissioners from other states. Rec and comm quotas are set at that level. The states may be able to shift some of the comm quotas for different gear types. MD cannot just decide how many fish they are going to kill. It is an ASMFC decision.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>
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I am on thin ice here. Someone who knows the system better should chime in.

This link should show you all the commissioners.

http://www.asmfc.org/

Member states are Maine, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. Each is represented by three Commissioners (http://www.asmfc.org/commissioners.htm): the director for the state’s marine fisheries management agency, a state legislator, and an individual appointed by the governor.<o:p></o:p>

[Z28YJ]

Also on thin ice, but I think ASMFC determines each state's allotment. It is up to each individual state to determine who gets to catch how much and by what methods.

[Wild Bill]

If you spend some time looking at the ASMFC commissioners, you find some very interesting stuff. John V. O'Shea is the Executive Director of the whole shooting match at ASMFC. He is the guy who made that video extolling the virtues of Omega Protein. Louis Daniel is the Director of Marine Fisheries in NC (who sets the rules for the trawlers) and everything fishy in NC. Tom Colburn is the Cambridge Senator who seems to take the side of the gill net poachers. Is it any wonder that we get some strange stuff from the ASMFC?<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p>

[Francis]

It's a complicatd issue but if you look at a list of all the negatives of banning nets, and positives of banning nets, I think the positives outweight the negatives.

And no, it won't stop poaching or illegial netting totally, but you can't argue with the success of every other state or region that has done it. I just watched the fly fishing movie Drift, and they even talked about the success of banning nets in that movie. I would say that there's enough of a precident set to say that when nets are banned, fisheries improve.

[27 sailfish]

Francis - Those nice Yellow Perch you caught recently are proof of what a net ban could do.

Yellow Perch used to be netted so heavily ( legal and poached ) that few were caught by anglers.

New limits were put in place for nets and in 5-6 years - Yellow Perch are coming back strong.

[Marcus]

it is amazing looking at the killing of untold numbers of stripers done in NC LEGALLY(by NC state law) that do not count toward the quotas that ASMFC has not said a peep about it but yet I think they were really on Md when those poachers got caught by the federal sting saying our allocation should be reduced... SmH.
But on this topic what happens if ALL the licenses are purchased and turned in? If they are not reissued Wouldn't that effectively outlaw gill netting by default?

[B-Faithful]

If we did not fill our commercial quota here in the Chesapeake Bay then another state would motion to raise their commercial harvest limit to fill that missing poundage gap. If they aren't killed here in MD they would be killed in another state. Not sure if that's any better.

That is why it would be good to reallocate the fish to the recreational side in the shorter term, even if we fall short of the recreational targets already. Reallocation can help tremendously in conservation. If we work towards a reallocation policy that reduces the commercial harvest and dont expand recreational seasons, less fish are harvested. I personally believe that reductions are in the future at the ASMFC and if we reallocate now, we save fish in the meantime, protect the recreational fishing opportunities we have here now for the future, and have leverage to lean on other states at the ASMFC to reduce their take once newer numbers come out at the ASMFC. If by chance the next stock assessment numbers come out strong then MD DNR can re-evaluate our take on the resource to benefit our state both socially and economically

Remember our commercial take makes up nearly 1/3 of the entire commercial take of all states managed under the ASMFC

[B-Faithful]

Let us not forget last year either:

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/2010-03-03/sports/bal-rockfish0303_1_striped-bass-poaching-rock-hall-harbor

From the article:

Officers seized approximately 16,500 yards of illegally anchored gill (approximately 55 nets) and 3,200 pounds of rockfish during the last week and half of February...


fyi: 16,500 yards = 9.375 miles of illegal nets last year in the last week and a half of Feb 2010 alone!

[C-Hawk18]

Remember our commercial take makes up nearly 1/3 of the entire commercial take of all states managed under the ASMFC

While were are at it's let's remember that our (Md) Recreational Quota already exceeds our Commercial Quota.

[B-Faithful]

While were are at it's let's remember that our (Md) Recreational Quota already exceeds our Commercial Quota.

However, our recreational take very rarely hits or exceeds our quota whereas our commercial take always takes all of their quota. Combine the fact that our commercial side does not take fish larger than 36" and it is very possible that our commercial harvest takes more fish than our recreational fishery. (quota is issued in lbs)

Regardless of all that, no other state under the ASMFC comes close to our excessive commercial take. Why? because most other states already recognize the far greater benefits of striped bass as a gamefish to their states and have allocated as such. An even split should not be how our fishery is managed.

[GuatemalaDave]

When NJ made stripers recreational fish they made the commercial quota a "Bonus Fish" for the recreational fishery. Most recreational fishermen don't even participate and those that do use far less than the possible quota, It has been tough to keep the commercial fishery from other states from upsurping that quota.

[B-Faithful]

When NJ made stripers recreational fish they made the commercial quota a "Bonus Fish" for the recreational fishery. Most recreational fishermen don't even participate and those that do use far less than the possible quota, It has been tough to keep the commercial fishery from other states from upsurping that quota.

yup. in order to prevent other states from taking the commercial quota that was going to go unused due to gamefish-only status, the state of NJ reallocated to the recreational side through trophy tags. However, NJ is now taking less fish - hense the reallocation is a conservation measure...

I believe this is what the MSSA was attempting to do through their reallocation for conservation initiative..

[Brandon]

The buyout idea is a good suggestion put presents some other issues. If someone were to buy out all the licenses it's possible there would be a lobby to issue more licenses saying the market was cornered and then those that bought all the licenses would have to spend more time to lobby to keep the license cap.

Best solution to leave no back door stuff is to ban nets. As Francis and many others have pointed out, there are plenty of success stories that show when the nets disappear the fishing improves for everyone.

We do not use punt guns anymore for waterfowl for a reason. Someone could have argued that punt guns were a "clean" means of commercial hunting, after all they simply killed exactly what you pointed them out. Problem is when people cheated the industrial magnitude was huge, same goes for nets.

[C-Hawk18]

Combine the fact that our commercial side does not take fish larger than 36" and it is very possible that our commercial harvest takes more fish than our recreational fishery. (quota is issued in lbs)


I wonder what the ratio of take is for "Current Breeding Stock"? Who really removes more "potential" fish.....see I can play the "stats" game to any side advantage.

[27 sailfish]

Don't hold me to this numbers exactly but they are close.

Recs get 60 % for 110,000 licensed anglers. Does not include family / friends fishing on a sport fish licensed boat or charterboat.
My guess would be another 10,000 anglers total.

Commercial gets 40% for about 2,000 netters / hook liners.

2,000 get 40% - yet 120,000 +/- get 60%.

Not exactly slicing the cake fairly.

A net buy out would put money in the pocket of the netter - their main goal for fishing. No risk in bad weather , guaranteed pay check - not a bad deal.

[C-Hawk18]

Recs get 60 % for 110,000 licensed anglers.

So if each Licensed Recreational angler ONLY kills "1" short fish of about 14" this year that would equate to 110,000 lbs of "wasted" fish.

So how many of these Rec Angler ONLY kill 1 short fish per year or even per trip? I think if you look at it this way I think you can see how much of an effect Rec angling has on the population.

Everybody thinks that a "Rod and Reel" angler has little effect, but I think you can see what that turns into with 110,000 out there. Do you disagree?

110,000 lbs and that's just 1 short each per season.

[uno]

You seem to be forgetting that the 40% of the fish that are caught commercially are NOT going to feed 2000 commercial watermen. The 40% of the total rockfish harvest is going toward feeding ALL of the rest of the population. That means that 120,000 rec anglers get 60% of the catch while EVERYBODY else only gets 40%. Where's the equity in that equation?

[goose70]

Assuming you had the money and the interest to buy 200 licenses, wouldn't you also need to willingness of 200 license-holders to sell them?

[Big Liar]

Best solution to leave no back door stuff is to ban nets. As Francis and many others have pointed out, there are plenty of success stories that show when the nets disappear the fishing improves for everyone.


No Brandon. Not for everyone. I think what you mean and are not saying is "Fishing improves for you and your recreational buddies". Everyone does not fish but you guys said it yourself. "Everyone in Maryland should be able to enjoy rockfish." I'm glad you enjoy catching rockfish, but there are also people that don't or can't go fishing - but still enjoy eating rockfish. You forget that you are trying to screw these people too. But that ok, cause it going to improve fishing for you guys.

[Brandon]

No Big Liar, the fishing does get better for everyone, including the commercial sector. Case in point Florida, I know a lot of commercial fishermen there and they are making real money harvesting fish via hook and line. Those fish get to get distributed to the "entire population" as you keep referencing. If there are more fish it makes commercial hook and line fishing better too and keep prices better stabilized.

The whole thing about commercial fishing supplying fish to the population has some validity, however with that also comes some responsibility. I've refrained from bringing this up, but it has been mentioned by some other anglers on this forum before, so it's not new. If you are going to feed all these other people with food you catch, then you are also responsible disclosing that the wild striped bass you are providing contain a large amount of contaminates. Somewhere on this site there is a link I saw to the warnings that striped bass from the bay or coast should only be consumed in moderation and kids and pregnant women should not consume at all. Since you are doing such service to provide everyone with food, I also think you should be responsible to have warnings on the food that is served. Where is your lobby to make sure these warnings are on the fish that you providing to all these people?

Your push back about banning nets is like the push back we saw when we put the limits on crabs a few years ago and looked at the crazy magic that happened, we did a few good things and now there are many more crabs then there were. The netters in FL put up a big fuss, and now look at the wild magic, the fishing is better for them and they are making good money.

I am not commenting anymore on your feedback, not because I do not think it's a valid subject, but rather because I think you do not understand because you do not want to. I get it, if someone was trying to take something away from me I would be resistent at the beginning. And sometimes others have to save the very people who are pushing back from themselves. If we do not do something we will not have any fish to even worry about netting. Thanks for the debate.

[hackeyfly]

If I have the right to consume wild caught fish, then do I also have the right to consume wild game, such as deer, goose, ducks of all species, buffalo, or passenger pigeon? All of these creatures were at one time a viable, wild harvest. What happened? Why can I no longer buy wild game at the grocery store? Should I be able to? What is the difference between a wild fish and a wild duck?
Pat in Joppa

[Big Liar]

If I have the right to consume wild caught fish, then do I also have the right to consume wild game, such as deer, goose, ducks of all species, buffalo, or passenger pigeon? All of these creatures were at one time a viable, wild harvest. What happened? Why can I no longer buy wild game at the grocery store? Should I be able to? What is the difference between a wild fish and a wild duck?
Pat in Joppa

Sorry. Already answered on a different thread.

[B-Faithful]

While many here would love to see gamefish-only status, it isnt going to happen in Md. However, that does not say that our allocation is not out of wack and our commercial harvest is excessive.. Lets face it, even these illegally harvested fish were valued at about $2.50 per pound and our take is 1/3rd of the entire commercial take from all states. If we reduce the allocation and ban the use of nets for the harvest of rockfish, our wuddermen will make more money per pound.

What percentage of commercially harvested fish are going out of state anyhow? I have been told as much as 80% this time of year.

[27 sailfish]

I'd bet wild hook / line caught Rock would bring a dollar more per pound if marketed as a " green " way of fishing.
Some restaurants list how the fish was caught - public likes to know - and will pay for it.

Look at what folks pay extra for free range meat / chicken or pesticide free vegetables. Some farms can not met the demand.

[hackeyfly]

Hehe ...in advertising, there's the truth, and then there's the "truth". The folks shopping at FreshFields and Whole foods would literaly "eat up" the idea of wild caught, hook and line wild rockfish, lightly poached with a sherry based wine sauce, and garnished with wild celery and sea salt. Pay, big, big, money for a pound of that, you betcha. Trust me, I work with folks who think like that, and they spend the cash freely. Call it "bycatch free" or "Turtle safe", it'll fly out the door. I think Skip is on to something.
Edit- for example, we already neglect to post the consumption advisories at the seafood counter or on the menu.
Pat in Joppa

[Barhopper]

Sounds like something to be brought before the Governors Seafood Advisory Committee. Promote Maryland seafood as green.

[GEORGE ZAHRADKA]

I'd bet wild hook / line caught Rock would bring a dollar more per pound if marketed as a " green " way of fishing.
Some restaurants list how the fish was caught - public likes to know - and will pay for it.

Look at what folks pay extra for free range meat / chicken or pesticide free vegetables. Some farms can not met the demand.

I really think you might be on to something ,we grow ''real'' free range turkeys,ducks,and chickens ...the upper dollar resturants like them and the people love them......it could be something for the higher markets

[crabby and son]

I really think you might be on to something ,we grow ''real'' free range turkeys,ducks,and chickens ...the upper dollar resturants like them and the people love them......it could be something for the higher markets


Good idea but might be tough in this economy.........Gary

[hackeyfly]

Good idea but might be tough in this economy.........Gary
Aw, c'mon ...don't gimme that. Kids on welfare have smart phones and $50/month texting plans. The folks shopping at Fresh Fields and Whole Foods are unaffected as well.
" Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?"
Pat in Joppa

[crabby and son]

Aw, c'mon ...don't gimme that. Kids on welfare have smart phones and $50/month texting plans. The folks shopping at Fresh Fields and Whole Foods are unaffected as well.
" Why don't you knock it off with them negative waves? Why don't you dig how beautiful it is out here? Why don't you say something righteous and hopeful for a change?"
Pat in Joppa

I wish I could Pat. I guess I'm just going on my situation and some other folks in the construction business. I am just glad I got rock fish and venison in the freezer to eat.............Gary

[kwk]

Hey, Pat, why don't you tell 'em that you burned 3 lumps of coal today instead of the usual 2 ...

[hackeyfly]

I wish I could Pat. I guess I'm just going on my situation and some other folks in the construction business. I am just glad I got rock fish and venison in the freezer to eat.............Gary
I hear what yer sayin', Gary. When I was laid off and out of work for 9 months last year(I was in the residential land development industry), I kept hearing about the recession, how bad everyone was hurting, but at the same time, every restaurant in Harford county seemed to be standing room only even on week nights, there was not a parking spot to be found at the malls, and iPhones were flying off the shelves so fast they couldn't keep 'em stocked. And there were as many cars on the road or more than I had ever experienced. Don't ask me how the damn economy works, seems like there is plenty of disposable cash floating around from the consumption I see on a daily basis. I just don't happen to have any of it!
Pat in Joppa

[Francis]

Guys as I said on another post, hook and line rock already brings a slightly higher price to market than netted fish because it's normally a better looking cleaner product.

If given the opportunity any expereicned fish buyer would rather buy 100lbs of hook and line caught fish than net caught fish. Ank anyone who deals in the industry. I learned this froma gentleman who runs one of the largest seafood distributing companies on the East Coast.

[reel addict]

as much as i hate to say it be careful what you ask for. you guy's worry about rip's pressure now imagine if all the gill netters had to hooknline right now where else would they go.and they would have to extend the season into march so the guy's could catch there quota as they do in the potomac. then in the summer all the hot spots would be raped as it is on the lower bay or potomac if one word gets out on a nice grade of fish there gone in two days. the net's need to be controled better and reduced and if your caught doing something major illegal take the lic and remove it from the system.

[reel addict]

And trust me i know we need to clean up are own backyard but 20,000lbs is a drop in the hat compared to what the trawlers are and have been doing for years seen it first hand to many times. if something is not done about that soon we won't have to worry about the rockfish.

[27 sailfish]

Here's a few more pounds to toss towards the total illegal take.


On November 24, the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) charged Jerome William Janda Jr., age 55 from Tilghman, Md with multiply striped bass (rockfish) violations after an investigation relating to illegal fishing activities in the Tilghman area.
On November 10, at approximately 2:35 am, NRP Officers observed Janda Jr. and his fishing vessel exit Knapp’s Narrows without using his navigational lights and proceed to a pound net located on the south side of Poplar Island, Talbot County. The Officers observed the occupants of the vessel fish the pound net and then docked at Lowes Wharf. At approximately 4:00 am, the Officers confronted Janda Jr and the two other occupants on the vessel, Jerome William Janda 3rd, age 28 from Tilghman and Burton Robert Curtis, age 25, unknown address. The Officers found the individuals loading untagged striped bass onto a truck. The Officers seized the 2,731 pounds of untagged rockfish. Initially, the Officers thought Janda Jr. was 1,784 pounds over his seasonal allocation limit according to the information noted on his allocation card. Subsequent investigation into the seafood dealer’s records indicated that Janda Jr. was illegally checking striped bass caught from a pound net as fish caught by a commercial hook and line fisherman. This record information indicated that Janda Jr exceeded his quota by 7,568 pounds (2,273 fish), Janda Jr. would have obtained his limit on October 6 had the catch been check-in properly.
Commercial fisherman are allowed to catch striped bass by using three gear types; hook and line, drift gill nets and pound nets. Each gear type has specific poundage of fish that can be caught by each gear during specific periods of the year. A striped bass pound net and striped bass drift gill net license can not be held by the same licensee at the same time. All commercially taken striped bass must be tagged and checked into a designated check-in station. Janda Jr had a pound net license that had 3,760 pound quota. The 2010 pound net and hook and line season runs from June 1, to November 30. The last segment of drift gill net season starts on December 1 until December 31.
Jerome Janda Jr was charged with 21 counts of using striped bass allocation permits assigned to another, 19 counts of using striped bass tags assigned to another, 14 counts of exceeding seasonal allocation limit of striped bass, one count of possessing striped bass greater than 36” commercial size, one count of possession of undersize flounder, one count of possession of untagged striped bass, one count of operating a vessel at night without proper navigational lights.
Jerome Janda 3rd, age 28 of Tilghman, was charged with one count of aiding and abetting exceeding seasonal allocation limit of striped bass and one count of possession of untagged striped bass.
A court date has been set for February 17, 2011 in the District Court of Maryland in Talbot County. The maximum penalty for each count is $1000 plus $1500 per each striped bass. The investigation is on-going and additional charges may follow.

[Francis]

Skip,
Have you seen this guys RAP sheet. It's impressive! Even the folks in SoMD talked about this guy. . .

[27 sailfish]

Yes , Francis - I have. You know how awful I am with names but Janda is one I remember.

I even questioned DNR why this case was being held in Talbot county and not in Annapolis - in the special court for poachers.
Never did get a straight answer.

Sad part is looks like dad is teaching his son the wrong things.

[klgladhill]

Yes , Francis - I have. You know how awful I am with names but Janda is one I remember.

I even questioned DNR why this case was being held in Talbot county and not in Annapolis - in the special court for poachers.
Never did get a straight answer.

Sad part is looks like dad is teaching his son the wrong things.

One things for sure Skip, these type of people keep reproducing and they don't elevate thru the social classes. Isn't it horrible that this is so heart wrenching that we can't have the classic debate of trollers and jiggers. I am glad all the Rec and good commercial guys are on the same side. Maybe there's hope, maybe the Governor's Office will do something to say the Bay from thieves.

[reel addict]

Here's a few more pounds to toss towards the total illegal take.


On November 24, the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) charged Jerome William Janda Jr., age 55 from Tilghman, Md with multiply striped bass (rockfish) violations after an investigation relating to illegal fishing activities in the Tilghman area.
On November 10, at approximately 2:35 am, NRP Officers observed Janda Jr. and his fishing vessel exit Knapp’s Narrows without using his navigational lights and proceed to a pound net located on the south side of Poplar Island, Talbot County. The Officers observed the occupants of the vessel fish the pound net and then docked at Lowes Wharf. At approximately 4:00 am, the Officers confronted Janda Jr and the two other occupants on the vessel, Jerome William Janda 3rd, age 28 from Tilghman and Burton Robert Curtis, age 25, unknown address. The Officers found the individuals loading untagged striped bass onto a truck. The Officers seized the 2,731 pounds of untagged rockfish. Initially, the Officers thought Janda Jr. was 1,784 pounds over his seasonal allocation limit according to the information noted on his allocation card. Subsequent investigation into the seafood dealer’s records indicated that Janda Jr. was illegally checking striped bass caught from a pound net as fish caught by a commercial hook and line fisherman. This record information indicated that Janda Jr exceeded his quota by 7,568 pounds (2,273 fish), Janda Jr. would have obtained his limit on October 6 had the catch been check-in properly.
Commercial fisherman are allowed to catch striped bass by using three gear types; hook and line, drift gill nets and pound nets. Each gear type has specific poundage of fish that can be caught by each gear during specific periods of the year. A striped bass pound net and striped bass drift gill net license can not be held by the same licensee at the same time. All commercially taken striped bass must be tagged and checked into a designated check-in station. Janda Jr had a pound net license that had 3,760 pound quota. The 2010 pound net and hook and line season runs from June 1, to November 30. The last segment of drift gill net season starts on December 1 until December 31.
Jerome Janda Jr was charged with 21 counts of using striped bass allocation permits assigned to another, 19 counts of using striped bass tags assigned to another, 14 counts of exceeding seasonal allocation limit of striped bass, one count of possessing striped bass greater than 36” commercial size, one count of possession of undersize flounder, one count of possession of untagged striped bass, one count of operating a vessel at night without proper navigational lights.
Jerome Janda 3rd, age 28 of Tilghman, was charged with one count of aiding and abetting exceeding seasonal allocation limit of striped bass and one count of possession of untagged striped bass.
A court date has been set for February 17, 2011 in the District Court of Maryland in Talbot County. The maximum penalty for each count is $1000 plus $1500 per each striped bass. The investigation is on-going and additional charges may follow. take the boat burn the lic and 5 to 6 in the pen with BUBBA!! should help him understand

[crabby and son]

i would think that the NRP is talking to Janda about the recent net find. His court case is coming up and deals can be made. This investigation is far from over. .............Gary

[DDogfish]

There is an advisory:

Atlantic Coastal States Issue Joint Advisory to Protect Public Health

BALTIMORE (June 6, 2009) The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE), in coordination with other eastern coastal states, issued a fish consumption advisory Wednesday to cover striped bass and bluefish caught through recreational fishing in Atlantic coastal waters.

The Department advises that striped bass and bluefish caught through recreational fishing in Atlantic coastal waters should not be eaten by sensitive populations such as pregnant women, women of childbearing age, nursing mothers, and children six years of age and younger. The general population should eat no more than one meal (eight ounces per adult and three ounces per child) per month of striped bass, and one meal every other month of bluefish.

Bluefish over 20 inches and large migratory striped bass tend to contain higher levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), a banned substance that is classified as a neurotoxin and a probable human carcinogen. Because levels at which PCBs are found in these popular fish are of concern to MDE, the Agency is taking this action.

“This effort reflects the benefits of cooperation across state lines to protect public health,” said MDE’s Science Services Director Rich Eskin. “To protect public health, MDE will monitor PCB levels in coastal marine striped bass and bluefish, and we will update consumption advisories as needed.”

Other states issuing similar advisories include: Maine, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, New Jersey and Delaware. These advisories are based on a 2008 report by the Eastern Coastal Striped Bass and Bluefish Consumption Advisory Workgroup. In an effort to develop consistent advisories for striped bass and bluefish caught in eastern coastal waters, the Workgroup evaluated methods used by states for developing consumption advisories regarding PCB concentration in striped bass and bluefish from Maine to Georgia.

The Department continually updates fish consumption advisories to reflect new data. For the latest information, go to http://www.mde.maryland.gov/CitizensInfoCenter/FishandShellfish/home/index.asp.

Source: Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE)


Now put your gourmet sauce over your PCBs.

[crabby and son]

Jerome Janda ... (wish I had your optimism is this case Gary)

This first step in any investigation or endeavor is to remain positive or you will certainly fail.............Gary