Seven anglers cited for boating safety, fishing license requirements

CLAYMONT (March 29, 2011) – DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife Enforcement agents on March 26 cited seven anglers for violations of boating safety equipment and/or fishing license requirements during a fishing tournament on the Delaware River near the Pennsylvania line.

Christopher Murphy, age 49, of Ridley Park, Pa., was arrested and charged with one count of insufficient personal floatation devices on his vessel. Joseph A. Pavone, age 52, of Havertown, Pa., was arrested and charged with one count of unregistered operation of a vessel. Christopher Unruh, age 19, of Collingdale, Pa., Albert J. Pavone, age 26, of Havertown, Pa., Marc S. Ruebeck, age 35, of New Castle, Joseph A. Pavone Jr., age 24, of Havertown, Pa., and Cody W. Kaufman, age 20, of Willow Grove, Pa., were arrested and each charge with one count of unlicensed fishing. All seven men were fined and released.

Delaware Fish and Wildlife Enforcement agents were present at the request of the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission.

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

REMINDER: Anglers fishing in Delaware are reminded that during striped bass spawning season, only catch and release is permitted. Spawning season for striped bass in Delaware begins at 12:01 a.m. on April 1 and continues through midnight on May 31, and during this time it is unlawful for any person to take and retain any striped bass from the Nanticoke River or its tributaries, the Delaware River and its tributaries to the north of a line extending due east beginning at and including the south jetty at the mouth of the C&D Canal, or the C&D Canal or its tributaries. Anglers also are prohibited from using any hook other than a non-offset circle hook with natural bait during striped bass spawning season, because of their proven ability to reduce catch and release mortality and facilitate easier hook removal.

Vol. 41, No. 119