[capt.george]

GOOD MORNING MARYLAND, & other States & Commonwealths along the Eastern Seaboard--

Partial Quote--Isn't there a appointed citizen Advisory Counsel who advises DNR Fisheries ? If a Fisheries official is a member of this board please advise.

Thank you,
Mayor of Seneca[/QUOTE]

---Mr Mayor, & Others ,I'm not a Offical & I hesitate to get involved , as I'm sure some feel that I am Bias, & only speak up when these issues come up on enforcement with particular harsh calls on Commercial offenders - I want to Assure Everyone that is not the Case --My Only reason is to try to Explain WHY we see constant Hand Slapping in our courts & I hope you can associate what im saying in your every day life ---

--First lets go back to the Early or Mid 80's --I attended a Special seminar in I believe it was in the DNR Cafateria, This was to explain to Intrested Parties & to get Input on Enforcement of Maryland's Fisheries -

This Has Always been a Prime problem & didn't just start , But a lot of Understanding , At least for me came out of that Session & Please believe much input was given that day that Changed a Lot of Laws that are on the books Today --

--The Key is--Every Cidizin of this Grand land of ours has a Promise of a Trial by JURY, regardless of the Law broken or how minor it may be --This is where you can compare the problem to every day life--A trial by Jury

---As I understood it , If every offender is treated to Harshly , the next step is a trial by jury & the court system would be so backlogged , & the Prosocution Cost so high no , state could meet the Cost --

--We , I'm afraid we are victims of the best system in the World --Old English Law --

--Much like the Program "Law & Order"--Enforcement , Arrest, Go before a Judge , get a hand slap , Cause the cost beyond that is not Affordable --As usual lack of deep pockets is the Reason -

--We all speak of light sentences for every crime in the book daily Unfortunate but true --My personal opinion our Dnr & Dnrp & yes our peers are very involved in Enforcment --All our Fishery user groups are Strongly Aware of the Neverending need for new ideas in enforcement , but also our courts need Funds to finish the "ORDER" part --Just an ole mans Thoughts during a cold Dawn, where the Swans out back barked at the moon all night --geo.

 

[capt.george]

---Brandon , Please reflect my automatic payment in my Name area --I have been a Paid Subscriber since 2001 --thanks geo.

 

[crabby and son]

You hit that one on the head George. All the Natural Resources Police do is catch the lawbreaker. They have ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with the outcome of the trial or the sentence. I have felt the pain first hand as a police officer. You risk your life to catch some one and they are back on the street in no time to do it again with very little punishment. A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link! Gary

 

[roseofsharon]

Capt.George, you're right, we couldn't afford a jury trial for every offender.
But we could afford a jury trial for the first few repeat offenders.
And if they were punished severely enough, not too many others would be willing to take the chance.

 

[27 sailfish]

I'd be willing to bet a poacher facing a big fine WOULD NOT want a jury trail.They most likely would enter a plea bargain.Since fish belong to the public - Mr. Poacher would be staring at the folks he stole from .

I really like how Alaska and Florida enforce their game laws and how stiff the fines are.

Maryland needs to get tough on REPEAT offenders and raise the fines.Poachers also need to be blackballed by their peers - far too many are treated like a folk hero in some areas.When a charter goes out for a 3rd charter trip in spring (illegal) - other captains should speak up.

Drug dealers lose their cars when caught with dope - same thing should apply to poachers.They should face losing their boats.Hiding fish in concealed compartments/setting unmarked nets/fishing in closed areas - that is not mistakes , it is a crime.

 

[Echo]

But Skip, I askidentially fileted my catch, askidentially stored it in a ziplock bag, askidentially put it in the head, and somehow, my beach towel landed ontop of the Ziplock. And how all those seat cushions and tackle boxes got ontop of the head, is just beyond me......

 

[Choptank River]

I'd be willing to bet a poacher facing a big fine WOULD NOT want a jury trail.They most likely would enter a plea bargain.Since fish belong to the public - Mr. Poacher would be staring at the folks he stole from .

I really like how Alaska and Florida enforce their game laws and how stiff the fines are.

Maryland needs to get tough on REPEAT offenders and raise the fines.Poachers also need to be blackballed by their peers - far too many are treated like a folk hero in some areas.When a charter goes out for a 3rd charter trip in spring (illegal) - other captains should speak up.

Drug dealers lose their cars when caught with dope - same thing should apply to poachers.They should face losing their boats.Hiding fish in concealed compartments/setting unmarked nets/fishing in closed areas - that is not mistakes , it is a crime.

:clapping2: :rockon:

 

[monman11]

Did you see what they are doing in Texas and a few other states to poachers? They determine the fine on how the buck scores on pope and young or boone and crocket... bottom line if someone would pay 18k to come to a ranch to shoot that deer that is your fine.... Imagine how much the cost is for some of the fish we catch...

 

[capt.george]

GOOD MORNING MARYLAND, & other States & Commonwealths along the Eastern Seaboard--

You hit that one on the head George. All the Natural Resources Police do is catch the lawbreaker. They have ABSOLUTELY nothing to do with the outcome of the trial or the sentence. I have felt the pain first hand as a police officer. You risk your life to catch some one and they are back on the street in no time to do it again with very little punishment. A chain is only as strong as it's weakest link! Gary

---C&S--Gary--Thanks for your understanding of the Point I was trying to put across , as to the Major Cause of Enforcement Failure in our Fisheries ----Regardless of WHEN , WHERE & how FLAGRENT !

--If some of you may remember , I posted here on TF , after the Election of my suggested choice for Leadership of our DNRP, as a AA CO resident for a few moons , I knew of his Excellent record as a upholder of State, County & plain down to earth law keeping & I personally feel his Department has reflected his leadership --Its a big Pond , our Maryland Chesapeake, Its River to near Ocean waters streaches his Resources thin --The fact that now a waterfront resident Crime involves the DNRP & streches our force even thinner, hasen't helped --I personally would have liked to see my Tax dime spent on Trucks,Cars, Boats,Fuel & COURT Costs rather than a State Reasearch vessel costing Millions to mirror NOAA's research vessel's operations --Sorry JPW

--Gary , As a 20 yr.old Brig Chaser in Portsmouth, as a Marine I learned early on the frustrations of Law Enforcement , & how the Court system works --Law enforcement will always get a shoe popping Salute from this ole Grunt--

---Its funny how my 0700 post did't get a responce till yours at 10:30--The Sea Lawyers , & Scuttlebut Reporters either were sleeping Late , or the Zipper law was in effect on Tuesdays--geo.

 

[capt.george]

Brandon

---Brandon , Please reflect my automatic payment in my Name area --I have been a Paid Subscriber since 2001 --thanks geo.

---2nd request, & ya can move this to C&P if ya wish -geo

 

[capt.george]

Morning! Skip

I'd be willing to bet a poacher facing a big fine WOULD NOT want a jury trail.They most likely would enter a plea bargain.Since fish belong to the public - Mr. Poacher would be staring at the folks he stole from .

I really like how Alaska and Florida enforce their game laws and how stiff the fines are.

Maryland needs to get tough on REPEAT offenders and raise the fines.Poachers also need to be blackballed by their peers - far too many are treated like a folk hero in some areas.When a charter goes out for a 3rd charter trip in spring (illegal) - other captains should speak up.

Drug dealers lose their cars when caught with dope - same thing should apply to poachers.They should face losing their boats.Hiding fish in concealed compartments/setting unmarked nets/fishing in closed areas - that is not mistakes , it is a crime.

---Q{=I really like how Alaska and Florida enforce their game laws and how stiff the fines are.}Q

--Maryland Can't be compared with FLA. 365 day Fishery , funded by deep pocketed retired Snow Birds , that See that thier Tax dollar & WILL BEQUETHS are for used for Law Enforcement --Cradle to the Grave , Tree huggers & Do gooders money flows like water from a Hydrent, To make sure the law is followed --,As to Alaska , Black Gold & its other riches , like tourism provides a endless money jar--Its Constant fight as a Fishery Neighbor to other Agressive Nations Requires Strict Law Enforcement--"YOU BETCHA"

-- Q[=When a charter goes out for a 3rd charter trip in spring (illegal) - other captains should speak up.]=Q
----Skip , I can only speak for one port , but I can assure ya that other Captains Do speak up --I ASS-U-ME your addressing the the Spring season when this well thought out Law was requsted by the Charter industry,(Seperate) to enhance the recovery of the Fishery -We also Forfited the capt's & mate's 1 fish a day allowence on our licences--

---At the same time the Rereational user Group( Seperate ) Sponcered & got passed a 1 trip a day Law for thier group in the Spring Fishery & I like you hope thier peers will speak up & report violators --We Merged Together as one Rec. fishery several months later --

--Back to the Subject " Enforcement " , Skip gets a parking ticket , he feels he got it unjustly, he goes to court-- Judge --Says pay ticket plus 10.00 fine & court costs --S-Your Honor I ask for a jury trial --In laymens terms this is the problem --geo.

 

[capt.george]

But Skip, I askidentially fileted my catch, askidentially stored it in a ziplock bag, askidentially put it in the head, and somehow, my beach towel landed ontop of the Ziplock. And how all those seat cushions and tackle boxes got ontop of the head, is just beyond me......

----Damm Hijackers , Like Blowboaters --Show up at 1 pm with newspaper print on thier hands & egg on thier mouth & wanta check the fleet out --Ya talking about the beach towel ya got with the Teddys on it , i'd call it a 45 year ole Security Blanket --Hi Ole friend --

 

[Scott McGuire]

Capt George,

That new research vessel replaced TWO aging vesses that were, at times, completely booked with research cruises. It also was much larger on the drawing board, and had several redesigns to fit within the reduced budget during these difficult times. Not only that, Grant money (INCOME) pays for the sea time of those vessels when they are underway. I'm not saying the state will be able to recoup the entire cost of the vessel, just that it's not entirely wasteful for the University of MD to have ONE decent research vessel.

 

[capt.george]

Capt George,

That new research vessel replaced TWO aging vesses that were, at times, completely booked with research cruises. It also was much larger on the drawing board, and had several redesigns to fit within the reduced budget during these difficult times. Not only that, Grant money (INCOME) pays for the sea time of those vessels when they are underway. I'm not saying the state will be able to recoup the entire cost of the vessel, just that it's not entirely wasteful for the University of MD to have ONE decent research vessel.

---Crow , I think It is a First Class Vessel & I KNOW all about its HISTORY & whens & Whys---I support The Fact that it WAS NEEDED --Sonar & Gps Readings on Ghosts alone will be Valuable--I was Honestly Trolling for you, JPW, Robert etc. & to see if Any of our OLD Posters were still alive to possibly comment on the Threads title on Enforcement --Kinda a Reverse hi jack --Gone-geo.

 

[Scott McGuire]

The FTF had a lengthly discussion on Enforcement, and it is one of the strongest sections of the report. The only problem is there is no $$$$ for new officers.

Maryland Task Force on Fisheries Management

Also - Recently CCA released a statement about enforcement and been proactive by giving NRP almost $3000 worth of digital cameras, range finders, and other needed equipment (this happens every year).

CCA Maryland Press Releases

 

[capt.george]

Continuation--

--Crow , its late been to a meeting , & ran a Vandalism tour of the Fleet --My day started early -Continued 0230 Can't sleep , upset about lives lost down below ---

--PQ[The FTF had a lengthly discussion on Enforcement, and it is one of the strongest sections of the report. The only problem is there is no $$$$ for new officers.]Q

---As the DNRP now is Involved in Waterfront Crime investigations, there By freeing up County & State Police time, maybe a few Dollars could be transferred from these units L & SP to the DNRP---To at the very least get 1 or 2 officers ---Then again all Enforcement groups are hurting for funds --
----Also - Recently CCA released a statement about enforcement and been proactive by giving NRP almost $3000 worth of digital cameras, range finders, and other needed equipment (this happens every year).

--Were all on the same Track , The MCBA,MWA MSSA gave us the Poplar Island Project , Rather that Settling for the Deep Trough Dumping plan off of Kent Island --As a lot of Spot, Croakers, Perch , Winter in the Deep trough , Think of how Disastrious that could have been --

--Thanks Brandon for my Support signature back --geo.

--

 

[ZAM]

I remember right after the moritorium was lifted the fine for poaching Stripers was $1000 and/or a year in prison (thats what it said on the fishing license anyway). That definately made me and my friends make sure we knew the rules..It seems like the fines are getting smaller and smaller

 

[Dwayne E]

Poacher a was caught on our farm back in November. Went to court this week. He was caught back in 2005 for the same offences. With the wardens help the DA pleaded two of the four charges away. He was facing up to $2000 in fine he ended up pay just $600. I do not believe the court system views natural resouces offences on the same level as all others. Mind you this individual is a career criminal. He spent time in Jessup for B&E's. How can you plead out this case and then barely fine this individual?