Easton, MD -- Richard Nicholas Fluharty, 25, of 21601 Chicken Point Rd., Tilghman, was found guilty of possessing unculled, undersized oysters and oystering while having a suspended license on Thursday, Feb. 17 in Talbot County District Court. Fluharty was sentenced to 10 days in jail with 20 days suspended. He was fined $442.50 for each offense.
In a plea agreement with Talbot County State’s Attorney Richard G. Patterson, three counts of oystering without a suspended license were not prosecuted.
The Coastal Conservation Association Maryland (CCA MD) had urged Patterson to vigorously prosecute Fluharty. Through its Court Watch program, CCA MD also asked its membership of recreational anglers and other conservation-minded citizens to contact Patterson emphasizing the importance of this case.
Fluharty was found guilty last year of violating oyster laws, and Maryland’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR) suspended his license for the 2011 season.
Court Watch was initiated by CCA MD several years ago in an attempt to focus attention on natural resource crimes after numerous repeat offenders received minimal penalties.
“There must be a clear understanding that our natural resources deserve to be protected,” said Tony Friedrich, CCA MD executive director. “They belong to all Maryland citizens, not just a few individuals who repeatedly use them for personal financial gain. Maryland’s Natural Resources Police and DNR are striving to protect our resources, but the judicial system must prosecute offenders vigorously and impose maximum penalties if they are found guilty.”
CCA MD is a non-profit organization of recreational anglers and other conservation-minded citizens that fights for marine resources. It is an affiliate of the 100,000-plus member Coastal Conservation Association. More information about CCA MD can be found at http://www.ccamd.org/.
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