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.
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