Anyone know the fine for breaking C&R rules?

[TomGlenBurnie]

Gentlemen, I have thought long and hard about this situation. I want to lead off with a sincere apology to Jimrockfish, and any others, that I may have burned and bruised last week. I am big enough to say that perhaps it was too harsh to call jim a lobbyist for the poachers. I do not think for a minute that Jim is a poacher, He probably has a perfect record, I did not check... I am weak, and imperfect. Buckshot, Beretta and others have brought out some good points. Thanks for having the guts to take a stand.

A couple fellows that I really respect, sent me PM's. They challenged me to produce some evidence...

During the sad january days, Jim told me that Mr. Hambleton runs a good shop, and he is not a bad fellow.
Jim further told me that the undersize oyster citation is somewhat arbitrary like a speeding ticket.

Point A. David Andrew Hambleton has more than 9 oyster guilty matters, going back to 1992. Jimrockfish told everyone that the gent has only 3 convictions. Do not trust granger do the search for yourself. Read the quick reply post above. Make your own decision.

Point B. The officers are careful and professional in measuring the undersize oysters. I did my homework on this. The undersize oyster issue is carefully measured by a " try gauge" . If an oyster is too small it is obvious because it passes through the gauge. The DNR officers have special equipment which operates rather precisely, by size, and by volume. Here is how they measure and count: The undersized oysters [ in a bushel ] are placed in a "holding pot" if the pot overflows, there are too many / smallies per bushel. The "pot" is about the size of a six pint saucepan. Some of the officers bring them to court, that is how granger learned these things. The pots are a standard item issued to the officers, it is fixed and solid, it is not arbitrary. To imply that the DNR officers were unfair to Hambleton nine times , will not convince your jury.
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The two points above led me perhaps incorrectly, to think that Jim had some kind of angle with the poachers.
I hope that I was wrong, and If I am wrong, I apologize. I have nothing but respect for the many years that Jim served our nation.
I do not hate commercial watermen. I disrespect poachers. I would like to go out on an oysterboat some day.
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Recently they caught a guy netting around Annapolis, who lives in shady side. He will go on trial April 20, and God willing I will be there, to see what happens. I want to be able to catch rockfish again at Fort Carroll. I honestly believe that the illegal fishing industries are hurting the fishery. Thanks for giving these things some thought. These honest and humble words were brought to you by the Red, White and Blue. Thank God for our freedom to speak, and argue, and discuss, and apologize.
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[buckshotgumbo]

Good post, Tom. I could help make arrangements for you to get on an oyster boat. Like Jim, I believe that some infractions can easily be sensationalized to stimulate a movement for a cause. Right is right, wrong is wrong, and I believe malicious poachers should have the boom lowered on them, but everything isnt always just black and white.
Although Jim and I don't know each other (although I look forward to meeting you soon, Jim), I believe we are of the same mindset with regards to the unfortunate "us vs them" scenario, and the singleminded pursuit of a net ban that is cultivated here under the guise of conservancy.
It seems as though little thought is being given to the ramifications aside from more fish for us, and the singular pursuit of this ban does not lend itself, and even detracts from the conservancy argument.
Example being, the thread here about the mind blowing toxic pollution in va. How many responses?
But a thread about a comm with 6 rockfish leaps to 4 pages...

I think this is a great site, and i think there are great people here, i just wish we'd look at the forest, not just the trees.

[TomGlenBurnie]

Thanks gents, for being patient. I agree that keeping undersize oysters seems to be a small offense. Doing it many times over many years seems pushy to me. What do you think??? Hambleton is a businessman, he could be more careful, without filing bankruptcy. We need oysters to clean the water in the bay. This points to why I want to go out for a rainy day on an oysterboat. I will work like a dog for free. I know how to follow orders. I have seldom seen oysters that were not on a plate... granger could learn a lot...smiling... I do not know crap about oysters.
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What is the chance that [ for 2013 ] we could petition the DNR and the MSSA to take pictures of those big breeders and release all but one per man? Maybe I am a dreamer? In a year or two the bay could be stinking with Rockfish. I'm just saying... Are the fishermen willing to make this sacrifice??? Is it reasonable? Am I a crazy man??
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For the record, Brandon is in my opinion, a good man. He invests in this fishery, more than you and I know. He also has many who clue him in to what is happening, good or bad. That is why he was able to bust that meeting [ Annapolis ] wide open. Every so often, He is forced to take action, to protect his "brand" . He cannot allow his place of business to be ruined by idiots of any stripe. Tidal Fish is like his Hardware Store. If people stop visiting, he cannot sell advertizing. Some folks seem to hate authority. You would not let someone walk through your house with muddy boots. Brandon will not either. I have not met the man. I have not been paid in any way to make this statement. You all know by now, that I am truthful. Enough rambling, I am listening Shaddart.
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There is hot new mail from the Somerset Courthouse. See "30 trials in Somerset" - " Protect the Fish".

[Hunter]

Boy did this thread get hijacked.

About NRP's enforcement of the PSCR rules...... Our boat was boarded by an NRP officer last Friday. We were just above 86. Asked us to keep right on trolling as he performed a vessel safety check. As part of his check he asked us to reel in one of lines so he could check our lures. Took all of 10 minutes and he was gone.