DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Blotter July 23-29
Reminder for the week: Be Aware of crab pot regulations

DOVER (July 29, 2011) – To achieve public compliance through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement agents issued 45 citations and numerous warnings for violations of recreational boating and fishing regulations between July 23 and 29, including one OUI.

·         On July 24, Ann M. Archino, age 40, of Newark, was arrested in the area of Rehoboth Bay and charged with operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol and one count of a navigation light violation. Archino was issued a summons to appear in Justice of the Peace Court 14 in Georgetown on Aug. 5 and released.

Other citations issued this week included the following:

Boating Safety: Waterskiing in a prohibited area, no registration card in possession, child life jacket violation, wake violation, no navigation lights, waterskiing after sunset

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational crab size limit, possession of sponge crabs, recreational crab pot limit, recreational crab pot tampering, using fishing nets in a prohibited area, recreational over the limit of hard clams, hard clams harvested in an prohibited area, summer flounder size limit, possession of flounder parts, striped bass creel limit, weakfish size limit.

Public Safety: Assisted Delaware State Police on a domestic violence compliant.

Other: Parking violations at boat launch facilities.

Are you aware of regulations on crab pots?
For this week’s Be Aware reminder from the Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section, agents would like to remind recreational crabbers to be aware of the regulations on keeping crab pots.

 “We cite a lot of anglers in the summer for having too many pots or tending someone else’s pots,” said Sgt. Gregory Rhodes of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement. “Under state fishing regulations, recreational crabbers may not set or tend more than two pots, and the person who sets or tends the pots must be the crab pot owner. In addition, crab pots must be marked with all-white buoys with the owner’s full name and permanent address on the buoys or on an attached waterproof tag.”

For more information, visit www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Fisheries , or check the 2011 Delaware Fishing Guide, available online and at fishing license dealers throughout the state.

Citizens are encouraged to report fish and wildlife and boating violations to the Delaware Fish and Wildlife Enforcement Section at 302-739-4580.

Vol. 41, No. 301