Tis the season for oyster poaching...

[SteveL]

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/dnrnews/p...11/120811a.asp

MD NRP Charges Individuals for Oyster Violations
Annapolis, Md. (December 8, 2011) -The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) charged the following individuals for oyster violations in the past two days.

•On December 6 at 11:45 a.m. in Deale Island Harbor in Somerset County, NRP charged Patrick B. Murphy, 49 of Tilghman, with possession of undersized oysters.
•On December 6 at 10 a.m. in Broad Creek in Talbot County, NRP charged George F. Pepper, 49 of Tilghman, with power dredging for oysters in an area reserved for hand tonging. A trial date has been set for January 19, 2012 in the District Court of Maryland for Talbot County.
•On December 6 at 12:30 p.m. in the Choptank River in Talbot County, NRP charged Alan R. Layman, 47 of Royal Oak, with possession of undersized oysters and failing to cull and return oysters to the natural oyster bar from which they were caught. A trial date has been set for January 19, 2012 in the District Court of Maryland for Talbot County.
•On December 7 at 11:30 a.m. in the Broad Creek in Talbot County, NRP charged David A. Hambleton, 47 of Bozman, with possession of undersized oysters. A court date has been set for January 19, 2012 in the District Court of Maryland for Talbot County.
The Maryland Natural Resources Police would like to remind citizens that they may report conservation violation, maritime emergencies, and criminal activities occurring on public lands to the Maryland Natural Resources Police Communication Center at 800-628-9944. Callers that wish to remain anonymous and be eligible for cash rewards for information that leads to an arrest and conviction of a violator should call the CATCH-A-POACHER hotline at 800-635-6124.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 8, 2011 Contact: Sgt. A.A. Windemuth
410-260-8003 office | 410-713-8449 cell
awindemuth@dnr.state.md.us

[colsen1]

Did a quick MD court lookup... At least 3 of 4 guys have extensive criminal records for a variety of offenses. Lots of DNR violations for oyster related offenses. Most ended up with a $130-$180 fine and that's it. These guys will keep doing this till someone suspends their license or grows a pair and gives em some jail time. This is just completely absurd.

[27 sailfish]

Starting to wonder what the new point system was all about.

Thought is was designed to stop repeat offenders.

No real surprise these poachers have prior convictions - oysters bring about $35.00 a bushel on the dock. Get a fine - just go poach 5 more bushels to pay for it.

[SteveL]

I strongly support responsible science-based fisheries management and responsible and legal commercial fishing. Harvest of wild oysters in MD is worse than the last buffalo hunt not just because the oysters are at 1% of historical abundance but also because the oysters don't move, they produce very important three-D fish habitat that supports a wide range of estuarine organisms and they provide a unique ecological service by filtering massive amounts of water that reduces sediment and nutrient loads, increases water clarity and enhances water quality.

How can we ever expect to restore oysters if the harvesters are free to move in and out of sanctuary areas in the dark of the night and in low visibility conditions, and use destructive illegal gear until they are finally caught by the understaffed MD NRP?

Mandatory VMS (electronic vessel monitoring systems) on all commercial oyster harvest vessels should be an absolute minimum requirement, along with instituting a zero tolerance policy for oyster poaching.

Some day the modern social and ecological realities of Ches Bay living resources management and restoration will overtake emotions and the quaint and outdated romantic view of the rugged individualist MD oysterman. I hope I live to see that day.

[paxfish]

No biggie. Just a few bad apples....

[Patapsco Mike]

The point system isn't retroactive, so it will take a bit of time for infractions like these to add up.

[kidz]

The reports should identify whether the culprit is rec or com. Poachers deserve the full weight of the law they break. Jail sentences for repeat offenders and maximum fines for first timers. The DNR should be able to confiscate the boat and equipment until court date. That wou7ld put a crimp on the violator for a while.

[paxfish]

The DNR should be able to confiscate the boat and equipment until court date. That wou7ld put a crimp on the violator for a while.

They have that option now, though it is rarely exercised. The process to confiscate might turn a 20 minute citation into a 4 hour effort, during which the officer, who is spread way to thin anyway, is not able to be out there enforcing the law. Then you gotta pay for the transportation, storage and disposition of the confiscated items.

[SteveL]

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/dnrnews/p...011/121411.asp

MD NRP Charges Individuals for Oyster Violations
Annapolis, Md. (December 14, 2011) - The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) charged the following individuals for oyster violations.

•On December 6, 2011 at 3:30 pm, Richard N. Roe Jr., 32 from St. Michaels, was charged with possession of undersize oysters at the Nanticoke Harbor.
•On December 9, 2011 at 11:16 am, Ralph L. Kraft Jr., 61 from Princess Anne, was charged with possession of undersize oysters on the Middle Grounds Natural Oyster Bar in the Wicomico River.
•On December 9, 2011 at 11:15 pm, David T. Messick, 27 from Parsonsburg, was charged with possession of undersize oysters and commercially harvesting oysters without a license on the Middle Grounds Natural Oyster Bar in the Wicomico River.
Trial dates for the above cases have been set for February 7, 2012 at 1:30 pm in the District Court of Maryland for Wicomico County.

The Maryland Natural Resources Police would like to remind citizens that they may report conservation violation, maritime emergencies, and criminal activities occurring on public lands to the Maryland Natural Resources Police Communication Center at 800-628-9944. Callers that wish to remain anonymous and be eligible for cash rewards for information that leads to an arrest and conviction of a violator should call the CATCH-A-POACHER hotline at 800-635-6124.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


December 14, 2011 Contact: Sgt. A.A. Windemuth
410-260-8003 office | 410-713-8449 cell
awindemuth@dnr.state.md.us

[27 sailfish]

Guess it is a reflection on the school system.

Seems these fine folks were never taught how to measure correctly - or tell time - or know the date - or understand simple boundary lines - or count - or know which day of the week it is.

Then these awful DNR officers have the gall to arrest these poor under educated men.

Damn shame - I'm glad the judges see fit to give these fine citizens so many chances to get it right. Sure can not expect some one to learn from their mistakes the first few dozen times now.