Bill would strip licenses from those who steal, Senate tackles poaching

[LuckyLady]

Bill would strip licenses from those who steal

By PAMELA WOOD, Staff Writer
Capital Gazette Communications
Published 02/17/11
As Natural Resources Police continue to investigate rockfish poachers, the issue of stealing from the Chesapeake Bay is gaining attention in Annapolis.

Pamela Wood — The Capital Natural Resources Police officers sort and tag some of the tons of rockfish they hauled in from nets that were illegally anchored in the Chesapeake Bay off the southern tip of Kent Island.
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State lawmakers are debating a bill that would set up an administrative process for the Department of Natural Resources to take away fishing licenses from watermen who flagrantly poach oysters.

Only certain poaching violations would trigger license revocation, such as poaching at least 200 feet inside a sanctuary, using illegal harvesting gear or taking oysters more than an hour outside legal times.

Watermen could appeal a license revocation to the court system.

The bill has drawn opposition on the Senate floor.

State Sen. Richard Colburn, an Eastern Shore Republican, raised questions about Natural Resources Police officers' investigative tactics.

A few weeks ago, a Dorchester County waterman found a tracking device on his boat. The police and DNR officials at first said little about the device.

"How are we going to enforce this bill? We don't have enough officers. Are we going to put tracking devices on every boat?" Colburn asked on Tuesday.

DNR officials put out a statement yesterday maintaining that all of their investigative actions have been legal. But they won't offer more information, citing the ongoing investigation into the recent rockfish poaching.

"The egregious poaching activities uncovered over the past few weeks," John Griffin, natural resources secretary, said in the statement, "have served to underscore the critical, urgent importance of apprehending any and all who would violate the public trust, stealing from our law-abiding watermen, our citizens and our future."

Colburn planned to introduce amendments to the poaching penalty bill today.

Meanwhile, the same bill started through the House of Delegates with a hearing in the Environmental Matters Committee yesterday.

"Oyster poaching continues to be a serious problem in Maryland's portion of the Chesapeake Bay," said Frank Dawson, assistant secretary of natural resources.

So far this year, seven watermen busted by the state on oyster violations would qualify for possible license revocation if the bill were in place now, Dawson said.

The bill drew no opposition at the hearing. The bill passed the House committee last year, and the chairman, Del. Maggie McIntosh, D-Baltimore, said she hopes the entire committee will co-sponsor the bill this year.

Meanwhile, poaching is expected to be a lead topic tonight at a meeting of the DNR's Tidal Fish Advisory Commission. Commission members offer advice to the DNR on commercial fishing issues.

[marine4003]

Not to be a PITA,but do you think folks that poach on that scale..care about a fishing LICENSE?..

[jazzrockskier]

Not to be a PITA,but do you think folks that poach on that scale..care about a fishing LICENSE?..

Yes A crook is a crook. If a sports fisherman is caught violating Fish and Game rules here in CA, the Wardens can take their gear and with the illegal catch. Perhaps if a poacher or two lost their boats.

[LuckyLady]

I guess this is the senates attempt on not catching crap on doing nothing ... Amazing ... I really hate politics

[Capt. kapoc]

Not the senate it is a idea drafted by conservation groups, the above statements are correct a poacher will poach no need for a pesky lic .....never seen a poaching lic anyway.

[hubris 1]

Yes A crook is a crook. If a sports fisherman is caught violating Fish and Game rules here in CA, the Wardens can take their gear and with the illegal catch. Perhaps if a poacher or two lost their boats.

Next thing you know.....A speeding ticket will require you to give your car to the local police, so they can catch more........speeders.
I love your..............................Logic. Fill in the blanks yourself.

[Reel Sharp]

I think it's better than nothing. It is sort of like operating a car without a license, you get caught without one, big trouble. Make it steep so if caught poaching, they lose the boat or gear being used. Game Warden boards boats all the time around here to check on licenses and catch.