Reminder for the week: Crabbers should review the laws before placing your pots

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 May 7-13 made 2,117 contacts with anglers, boaters, hunters and the general public, issuing 333 citations. Officers responded to 49 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

• On May 12, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers and answered hunting, fishing, and boating questions during the Lowe’s Kids Safety Day near Millsboro. The Marine Patrol Vessel November, which was very popular, was on display.
• On May 12, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers attended the “Go Fish Delaware” event held at Fish & Wildlife’s new Aquatic Resources Center near Smyrna, where they discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, answered hunting, fishing, and boating questions, and assisted youth with fishing.
• On May 12, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers, answered hunting, fishing, boating questions and provided information on Marine Patrol Vessel Mike, which they arrived on, during the annual Dewey Beach Lions Club event near Rehoboth Beach.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Action

Incidents of note:

• On May 8, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers cited Herschel B. Claggett Jr., 48, of Easton, Md., with one count each of the following: unlawful to trespass upon land or water without permission to trap and unlawful possession of snapping turtles, and four counts of no snapping turtle trap markings near Port Penn. Claggett was fined $758, including court costs, and released.
• On May 9, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested two individuals for multiple fishing violations near Delaware City. The following press release was issued in regards to the incident: DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrest Pennsylvania pair for multiple fishing violations.
• On May 12, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested two individuals for multiple drug and criminal related charges near Frederica. The following press release was issued in regards to the incident: Drug-related arrests made on DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife-managed-property by Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Unlawful to trespass upon land or water without permission to trap (1), unlawful possession of snapping turtles (1), and no snapping turtle trap markings (4).

Fisheries Conservation: Unlicensed fishing (11), possession of undersized white perch (145)*, trespass to fish (2), possession of undersized striped bass (48)*, possession of unlawfully taken striped bass (48)*, altering the length of striped bass (44)*, use of illegal non-circle hook during striped bass spawning season (5)*, and over the limit striped bass (2)*.

Boating and Boating Safety: No life jacket on a child 12 or younger as required by law (1) and operating an unregistered vessel (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (5), driving with a suspended or revoked license (1), criminal impersonation (1), possession of marijuana – civil (2), possession of marijuana-related drug paraphernalia – civil (2), possession of drug paraphernalia not marijuana-related (1), operating an unregistered vehicle (1), obstruction of roadway (1), operating a motor vehicle without insurance (1), operating an unregistered motor vehicle (1), operating a motor vehicle with expired tags (1), warrant processed for other agency (1), and conspiracy 3rd degree (2)*.

*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 recreational crabbers to review state regulations governing blue crabs, including the required use of a turtle by-catch reduction device in recreational crab pots.

Other Delaware crabbing regulations include:

• A Delaware recreational fishing license is required for crabbing.
• The recreational daily limit on blue crabs is one bushel per person.
• Minimum “keeper” size for male blue crabs and immature female crabs with the V-shaped apron is 5 inches, measured across the shell from point to point.
• Mature female crabs, identified by the U-shaped apron, are exempt from the minimum size of 5 inches because many females reach maturity at a smaller size.
• Mature female blue crabs bearing eggs, known as sponge crabs and recognizable by the orange eggs visible under the apron, may not be taken and must be returned to the water immediately.
• Recreational crabbers may use any number of single, baited hand lines, trot lines (a longer weighted line with a series of baited points) or pull traps. Standard size and possession limits as noted above apply.
• Recreational crabbers may not use, place, set or tend more than two crab pots.
• Recreational crab pots must be tended by the owner at least once every 72 hours and must be marked with white buoys with the owner’s name and permanent mailing address.
• Recreational crabbers are prohibited from selling blue crabs; only commercially-licensed crabbers are permitted to offer blue crabs for sale in Delaware.
• Fishing or crabbing off courtesy docks at state-owned boat ramps is prohibited.
• To avoid being cited for littering, gather up leftover bait, bait containers, crab lines and other trash for proper disposal. Fish & Wildlife fishing areas and wildlife areas are “carry in, carry out” for trash.

For more information on crabbing 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, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913 or 302-382-7167

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