Reminder for the week: Saturday starts National Fishing & Boating Week!

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 21-27 made 3,927 contacts with anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 150 citations. Officers responded to 160 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 24, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers and answered hunting, fishing, and boating questions at a career day at Lake Forest North near Felton. The Marine Patrol Vessel Oscar, which was very popular, was on display.
• On May 25, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers attended a Bayshore event at Cedar Creek. Officers had three patrol vessels on site and were available for tours of the new jetty and sea wall.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Action

Incident of note:

• On May 21, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Michael T. Dorn, 43, of St. Georges for one count each of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest following an incident that occurred on the Mike Castle Trail near St. Georges. Dorn was video arraigned with Sussex County Justice of the Peace Court 3 where he was released on a $500 unsecured bond and a no contact order with any Division of Fish & Wildlife properties pending a future court date.

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

Fisheries Conservation: Unlicensed fishing (13), possession of undersized white perch (8), possession of undersized blue crab (7), possession of sponge crabs (1), possession of shellfish from a prohibited area (2), possession of undersize summer flounder (1), improperly marked crab pot (1), possession of undersized black seabass (1), unlawful possession of snapping turtles (1), no F.I.N. (8), and over-the-limit striped bass (1).

Boating and Boating Safety: No life jacket on a child age 12 or younger as required by law (7), operating an unregistered vessel (3), operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (7), no boating safety certificate (11), failure to observe slow/no wake zone (1), no sound producing device on board (1), no flares on board (1), operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol (1), operating a personal watercraft after sunset (1), allow use of a non-compliant vessel (2), no throwable preserver aboard as required for vessels 16 feet long or longer (2), and jumping wake on a personal watercraft (2).

Public Safety: Disorderly conduct (1), resisting arrest (1), possession of marijuana – civil (5), possession of drug paraphernalia – marijuana related (2), possession of heroin (3), possession of drug paraphernalia – not marijuana related (1), driving with a suspended or revoked license (1), and operating a motor vehicle without insurance (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (47)*, dumping/littering on state property (2), parking/obstruct boat ramp, roadway or trail with vehicle (1), possession of drug paraphernalia (1), and unattended vehicle in a state wildlife area (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 de.gov/ogt.

Are you AWARE?
Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police reminds the public to take advantage of the great, family friendly upcoming outdoor opportunities in observance of National Fishing & Boating Week starting Saturday June 2-10.

Our 32nd Annual Youth Fishing Tournament will be held from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, June 2 at Ingrams Pond in Millsboro, Akridge Scout Reservation in Camden and at the dog training area of Lums Pond State Park in Bear. There will be prizes for all participants and it is free of charge! For more information on the tournament, and to register, click here.

We also invite you to fish, crab, and clam in any Delaware waters by offering free fishing days on Saturday and Sunday, June 2 and 3. On these two days, anyone, out-of-staters included, may fish the state’s waters without a fishing license. For more information on Delaware’s free fishing days, click here.

To report boating and fisheries violations please call the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police 24hour dispatch line at: 302-739-4580 or 1-800-523-3336.

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.

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

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