Reminder for the week: Harvest of river herring is unlawful in Delaware

DOVER – To achieve public compliance with laws and regulations through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between April 23-29 made 3,789 contacts with anglers, boaters, hunters and the general public, issuing 29 citations. Officers responded to 34 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public. An increased Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and Michael N. Castle Trail.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police in the Community

• From April 27-29, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed their work, answered hunting, fishing, and boating questions and displayed the Operation Game Theft trailer during the annual Delmarva Outdoors Expo at the State Fair Grounds in Harrington.
• On April 27, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed their work, and answered hunting, fishing, and boating questions during an employee event at the Siemens Company in Newark.
• On April 28, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers taught a Basic Boating Safety Class at State Police Troop 2 near Newark.
• On April 28, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers and K9 River attended the “Touch a Truck” event at the Providence Creek Academy near Clayton.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

Incidents of note:

• On April 24, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers cited Troy Morton, 37, of Salisbury for one count each of: conducting a lewd act in a public place and loitering at Records Pond near Laurel. Morton was issued a summons for a mandatory appearance at Sussex County Justice of the Peace Court 3 for a later date and released.
• On April 24, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers cited Bryan D. Short, 55, of Bridgeville for four counts of possession of river herring near Laurel. Short was fined $428, including court costs and released. Another Bridgeville man, John L. Young, 50, was arrested for one count of possession of river herring near Laurel. Young was fined $107, including court costs and released.
• On April 28, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers cited Brooks S. Musser, 33, of Laurel for one count of possession of river herring near Laurel. Musser was fined $107, including court costs and released.

Citations issued by category, with the number of charges in parentheses, included:

Wildlife Conservation: Possession of a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle (1), hunt from a vehicle (1), trespass to hunt (1), discharge a firearm within 15 yards of a road (1), shoot wild bird or animal on or across a roadway (1), unlawful possession of game bird (1), discharge a firearm within 100 yards of a dwelling while hunting (1), must wear camouflage clothing while hunting wild turkey (1), and take/destroy nests and eggs of wild birds (1)*.

Fisheries Conservation: Unlicensed fishing (1)*, possession of river herring (6), and possession of undersized white perch (1)*.

Boating and Boating Safety: Operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (2) and no life jacket on a child age 12 or younger as required by law (1).

Other: Possession of marijuana – civil (2), possession of drug paraphernalia (1), trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (2), unattended vehicle in a state wildlife area (2), conducting a lewd act in a public place (1), and loitering (1).

*Includes citation(s) issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife recognizes and thanks the majority of anglers, hunters and boaters who comply with and support Delaware’s fishing, hunting and boating laws and regulations. Citizens are encouraged to report fish, wildlife and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030 or online at http://de.gov/ogt.

Are you AWARE?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind anglers that it is unlawful in Delaware to harvest river herring. Signs giving notice of the fishery closure are posted at fishing spots known to hold river herring. For more information, click on river herring.

For more information on fishing in Delaware, click on 2018 Delaware Fishing Guide. The guide also is available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk, and from license agents throughout the state.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/DEFWNRPolice/.

Follow Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police on Twitter, https://twitter.com/DE_FW_NRPolice.

Contact: Sgt. Brooke Africa, 302-382-7167, or DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police 302-739-9913

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