Tis the season for oyster poaching...

[SteveL]

Kudos to MD DNR Police for a job well done this entire season on their oyster poaching interdiction mission. It is clear that MD DNR is serious about dealing with oyster poaching--they are sending a very strong public message with these two most recent group busts.

This thread includes all the DNR press releases on oyster poaching for 2011-12 season (the ones posted as of today).

Everyone following this issue should open the link in the 1870s document in the press release below. It describes exactly the kind of management challenges we have today, the similarity is extraordinary.

140 years later and we are still fighting the oyster wars; the Bay is a still a vast area and oyster pirates are still dredging in sanctuaries.
------------------------------------------
http://www.dnr.state.md.us/dnrnews/p...12/012312c.asp

NRP Apprehends Oyster Poachers

Deale Island, Md.(January 23, 2012) – The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) charged five watermen, on three boats, power-dredging for oysters in the Tangier Sound Oyster Sanctuary.
On January 20, at 7:30 a.m., an NRP Officer aboard a Maryland State Police helicopter saw eight commercial boats power-dredging for oysters within the sanctuary. The Officer was able to identify and plot locations of three of the boats before they scattered among the other commercial vessels working outside the sanctuary.

NRP charged the following individuals with oystering in an oyster sanctuary;
John Earhart III, 32, and Jason Abbott, 30, both of Princess Anne, aboard Miss Terry.
David Wheatley, 47 from Deale Island, and Stephen Webster, 58 from Wenona, aboard Just Faith.
Daniel Benton, 49 from Deale Island, aboard Chantilly Lace.

Under Governor Martin O’Malley’s leadership, increased law enforcement is part of an overall effort to deter poaching and toughen penalties for those who violate fishing laws in Maryland, under the Fisheries Management Reform Act of 2007. A noteworthy part of this effort is the launch of fresh enforcement initiatives and enhancements including the installation of a network of radar and camera units to assist the NRP in monitoring sensitive areas that are prone to poaching. DNR, the Office of the Attorney General and the District Court of Maryland have also expanded a successful program that sets aside specific days to try only cases dealing with natural resources violations.

For a glimpse at how the Chesapeake Bay’s oyster population was regulated in the 1870s, visit dnr.state.md.us/nrp/pdfs/reportuponoyster1870davi.pdf. This recently discovered report was written by Commander Hunter Davidson addressing status of the oyster to the legislature.


Note: If you choose to use an acronym, please refer to the Maryland Natural Resources Police as “NRP.” Thank you.

January 23, 2012
Contact: Sgt. A.A. Windemuth
410-260-8003 office | 410-713-8449 cell
awindemuth@dnr.state.md.us

[SteveL]

Kudos to MD NRP for their sustained effort to address oyster violations!

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/dnrnews/p...12/020312c.asp

NRP Charge Five with Oyster Violations

Annapolis, Md. (February 3, 2012) – The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) today charged five watermen with oyster violations in Dorchester County.

At around 9 a.m., NRP observed Bryan R. Grimes, 36 of Chester, Edward E. Grimes, 61 of Stevensville, Mason T. Coursey, 19 of Centerville and Christopher L. Marvel, 19 of Grasonville, illegally diving for oysters in a hand tong only area of the Little Choptank River. The men were charged with catching oysters for commercial purposes by diving in an area reserved for hand –tonging. Officers seized four bushels of oysters and returned them to water.

At 9:30 a.m., NRP observed Nelson B. Goslin Jr., 42 of Cambridge, with illegally power dredging for oysters in Fishing Bay. He also had undersized oysters (14 percent) on his boat. NRP charged Goslin Jr. with possessing unculled and undersized oysters and power-dredging in an area reserved for hand tongs. Three bushels of oysters were seized and returned to the water.

A trial is set for April 18 in the District Court of Maryland for Dorchester County.

Under Governor Martin O’Malley’s leadership, increased law enforcement is part of an overall effort to deter poaching and toughen penalties for those who violate fishing laws in Maryland, under the Fisheries Management Reform Act of 2007. A noteworthy part of this effort is the launch of fresh enforcement initiatives and enhancements including the installation of a network of radar and camera units to assist the NRP in monitoring sensitive areas that are prone to poaching. DNR, the Office of the Attorney General and the District Court of Maryland have also expanded a successful program that sets aside specific days to try only cases dealing with natural resources violations.

For a glimpse at how the Chesapeake Bay’s oyster population was regulated in the 1870s, visit http://www.dnr.state.md.us/nrp/pdfs/...er1870davi.pdf. This recently discovered report was written by Commander Hunter Davidson addressing status of the oyster to the legislature.

Note: If you choose to use an acronym, please refer to the Maryland Natural Resources Police as “NRP.” Thank you.

February 3, 2012
Contact: Sgt. A.A. Windemuth
410-260-8003 office | 410-713-8449 cell
awindemuth@dnr.state.md.us

The Maryland Natural Resources Police is the enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). With an authorized strength of 247 officers and a dedicated staff of civilian and volunteer personnel, the NRP provide a variety of services in addition to conservation, maritime and law enforcement duties throughout the State of Maryland. These services include homeland security, search and rescue, emergency medical services, education, information and communications services on a round the clock basis. NRP is the only police force aside from the Maryland State Police that has statewide jurisdiction.

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages nearly one-half million acres of public lands and 17,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov

[SteveL]

Update: Please note an imposter was later charged so the above press release was modified. Please see below for factual information presented on the DNR website.

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/dnrnews/p...12/020312d.asp

NRP Notified of Imposter

Annapolis, Md. (February 3, 2012) – The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) was notified that one of the waterman police officers charged on Friday for oyster violations was using someone else’s name and tidal fish license without permission.

Mason T. Coursey, 19 of Centreville, notified NRP after seeing his name in the media that someone had used his identification. He was accused of illegally diving for oysters in a restricted area of the Little Choptank. Coursey told police that someone else had illegally used his tidal fish license and gave it to the Officers during the incident. Coursey had kept his license on a boat and the imposter found it.

Officers have identified the imposter and are pursuing the investigation. The initial incident occurred when Officers found four people diving for oysters in a restricted area, on Friday at around 9 a.m. The other three people NRP charged were Bryan R. Grimes, 36 of Chester, Edward E. Grimes, 61 of Stevensville, and Christopher L. Marvel, 19 of Grasonville. A trial is set for the watermen who were illegally harvesting oysters for April 18 in the District Court of Maryland for Dorchester County.

Note: If you choose to use an acronym, please refer to the Maryland Natural Resources Police as “NRP.” Thank you.
February 3, 2012
Contact: Sgt. A.A. Windemuth
410-260-8003 office | 410-713-8449 cell
awindemuth@dnr.state.md.us

[SteveL]

More updates:

Oyster Sanctuary and Criminal Violations

Dorchester County, Md. – On February 10 the Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) arrested Robert J. Benton, Jr. 44 from Stevensville, on conservation and criminal charges after he was caught illegally harvesting oysters and then tried to avoid the charges by using another waterman’s identity. On February 3, Benton was stopped while he was illegally diving for oysters in the Little Choptank River. When asked for ID, Benton gave NRP Officers a tidal fish license in another waterman’s name, representing himself as that person.

Benton was charged with fraud, fraud to avoid prosecution, fraud to avoid payment greater than $500 and theft. Benton was also charged with taking oysters without a commercial license, failure to pay oyster surcharge and taking oyster for commercial purposes by diving in an area reserved for hand tongs. Benton faces penalties that range from $250 to $25,000 and 15 years in prison. Benton was jailed in the Dorchester County Detention Center on $10,000 bond.

Somerset County – On February 10 at 7 a.m., NRP Officers charged five individuals with harvesting oysters in the Tangier Sound Oyster Sanctuary. NRP Officers were aboard a Maryland State Police helicopter when they noticed three commercial fishing boats illegally dredging for oysters in the sanctuary.

Officers charged the following individuals with unlawfully harvesting oysters in an oyster sanctuary:
Steven P. Benton, 43 from Deale Island, and Darin K. Ford, 46 from Princess Anne, aboard the Donna Lee.
Andrew A. Benton, 37 and Ulyses Seawright Jr., 33 both from Wenona, aboard the Gentle Breeze.
David T. Wheatley Sr., 47 from Wenona aboard the Just Faith.

NRP Officers seized Wheatley’s oyster dredge from his boat. This was the second time this season that Wheatley was apprehended in the oyster sanctuary. His previous violation occurred on January 20.

St. Mary’s County – On February 9 at 3 p.m., NRP charged three individuals with removing oysters from an oyster sanctuary and possessing undersized oysters in the St. Mary’s River near Great Mills. Officers charged Migdael A. Trujillo, 32, Lorenzo A. Regalado, 32 and Jose M. Vaquers, 42 all from Dameron, Md. A trial date of May 18, 2012 has been set for the District Court of Maryland for St. Mary’s County.

Under Governor Martin O’Malley’s leadership, increased law enforcement is part of an overall effort to deter poaching and toughen penalties for those who violate fishing laws in Maryland, under the Fisheries Management Reform Act of 2007. A noteworthy part of this effort is the launch of fresh enforcement initiatives and enhancements including the installation of a network of radar and camera units to assist the NRP in monitoring sensitive areas that are prone to poaching. DNR, the Office of the Attorney General and the District Court of Maryland have also expanded a successful program that sets aside specific days to try only cases dealing with natural resources violations.

For a glimpse at how the Chesapeake Bay’s oyster population was regulated in the 1870s, visit dnr.state.md.us/nrp/pdfs/reportuponoyster1870davi.pdf. This recently discovered report was written by Commander Hunter Davidson addressing status of the oyster to the legislature.

Note: If you choose to use an acronym, please refer to the Maryland Natural Resources Police as “NRP.” Thank you.

February 13, 2012
Contact: Sgt. A.A. Windemuth
410-260-8003 office | 410-713-8449 cell
awindemuth@dnr.state.md.us

[TomGlenBurnie]

Greetings Gentlemen, The good news is that some of these citizens will go on trial in Somerset county [ Princess Anne ] next tuesday, 13 March. Brandon White had the courage to move an important thread to the chesapeake maryland angler Forum. You might look for the thread labeled Somerset Cty District Court NR TRIALS: 2nd Tuesday each month 10:30 AM
.
Some history will be made, because people all over this great state will be watching what happens in Princess Anne District Court, Tuesday, 13 March, 2012, at 10:00 AM. So exciting to see the american legal system working for the people.
.
I Tom Granger also salute the excellent public servants who are working hard to protect our resource, our fishery.
Thanks to the DNR officers who are out in the freezing cold, and driving rain, working for all of Maryland. Thanks to the Attorney General of Maryland , who has taken leadership, on prosecuting the Natural Resourses violators. Thanks to all who are fighting to stop the professional Poachers. There are unsung heroes, who cannot be named. Thanks, so much for your courage, in the face of danger. Your sacrifices are appreciated and noted. We have a dream that the Bay Waters will again be clean, and there will be enough oysters for an honest waterman to make a decent living.
.
It takes character, and courage to do what is needed, in difficult and dangerous times. Todd Beamer took the bull by the horns, and he was not alone. Lenny Scutnick risked his life to save others. Howard W. Gilmore willingly gave his life for this nation in 1943. With respect to all and Malice to none: Thomas Granger RMC(SS) Glen Burnie Md. And I am proud to be an American where at least I Know that I am free...."God Bless the USA" is an American patriotic song written and recorded by country musician Mr. Lee Greenwood... God bless all of you, and us. May God bless our president in these difficult times. May God Bless Gov. O'Malley, who is taking an active part in this work.