Reminder for the week: Have a safe Labor Day weekend on Delaware waterways

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’s Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between Aug. 19-25 made 1,721 contacts with anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 29 citations. Officers responded to 78 complaints regarding possible violations of laws and regulations or requests to assist the public. A 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 Aug. 24, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers, answered hunting, fishing and boating questions, and displayed the Operation Game Theft trailer during a National Wild Turkey Federation picnic in Middletown.
• On Aug. 25, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers presented information on Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police careers, safe hunting, hunting laws, and what to expect when checked by an officer in the field at a Basic Hunter Education Course held at the Little Creek Hunter Education Training Center.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Actions

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

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Possession of undersized blue crabs (1), possession of undersized white perch (1), possession of a undersized flounder (1), no Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number (1), and unlicensed fishing (4).

Boating & Boating Safety: Operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (2).

Public Safety: Driving with a suspended license (2)*, failure to have required insurance (1)*, failure to transfer title and registration (1)*, operating a motor vehicle at an unreasonable speed (2), inattentive driving (1), disobeying command to stop in a motor vehicle (1)*, failure to use turn signal (1), and possession of heroin (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (6)*, operating an unregistered motor vehicle on a state wildlife area (1)*, and loitering (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. The Public are encouraged to report fish, wildlife, and boating violations to the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police by calling 302-739-4580 or through the DENRP Tip app on a smartphone, which can be downloaded free of charge by searching “DENRP Tip” via the Google Play Store or the iTunes App Store. Wildlife violations may also be reported anonymously to Operation Game Theft by calling 800-292-3030, going online to http://de.gov/ogt, or using the DENRP Tip app. Verizon customers can connect to Operation Game Theft directly by dialing #OGT.

Are you AWARE?
For the Labor Day weekend, Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind boaters that drinking and boating don’t mix and puts themselves, their passengers, and other boaters at risk, and that boat operators found to have blood alcohol levels of .08 or higher will face charges for operating a vessel under the influence.

Other tips for recreational boaters to ensure a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend include:

• Exercising patience and courtesy at crowded boat ramps and docks
• Observing all Slow No Wake areas
• Maintaining a lookout for other vessels and keeping a safe distance away
• Making sure children 12 and younger are wearing life jackets while underway as required by law
• Checking navigation lights and making sure to turn them on when operating at night

For more information on safe boating practices in Delaware, please visit Delaware Boating Safety.

To report boating violations or accidents please call the Delaware Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police 24-hour 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.

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

Print