Captain, crew members rescued from Delaware Bay without injuries

PORT MAHON – DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police are investigating an accident in which a commercial crabbing vessel capsized Thursday afternoon after it was swamped by high waves in rough waters off Port Mahon east of Dover in the Delaware Bay.

The vessel’s 34-year-old captain from Townsend and two crew members – a 38-year-old Townsend man and a 50-year-old man from Dover – were located clinging to the overturned crab boat after spending several hours in the water. All three were rescued by Little Creek Volunteer Fire Company with no injuries reported. The vessel was righted and towed to dock by the Leipsic Volunteer Fire Company.

In addition to Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers and marine units from the Little Creek and Leipsic fire companies, responders included the Bowers Beach Fire Company marine unit and the Delaware State Police Aviation Unit.

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.

Media Contacts: Sgt. John McDerby, Division of Fish & Wildlife Enforcement Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913 or 302-354-1386, or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 159

Reminder for the week: Recreational crabbers should review rules before crabbing

DOVER – To achieve public compliance through education and enforcement actions that help conserve Delaware’s fish and wildlife resources and ensure safe boating and public safety, DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between April 18-24 made 1,392 contacts with anglers, boaters, hunters and the general public, including 115 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks. Officers responded to 32 complaints and issued 22 citations, six of which were related to the C&D Canal Conservation Area and associated recreational trail, where there is an increased Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence.

Incidents of note:

• On April 21, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited Shawn Lee, 45, of Franklinsville, N.J., for one count of possession of undersized striped bass near Delaware City. Lee was issued a $165 fine, including court costs. The seized striped bass was donated to the Ministry of Caring Food Kitchen in Wilmington.
• On April 19, following an investigation, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested Willis C. Hand, 61, of Dover, and charged him with failure to maintain a proper lookout while operating a commercial vessel in connection with a March 10 boating accident on the Murderkill River near Bowers Beach. Hand was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 7 in Dover and released on $100 unsecured bond pending a court appearance at a later date.
• On April 18, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited James K. Evans, 51, of Millsboro, for illegal sale of blue crabs without a commercial license near Harbeson. Evans was issued a $107 fine, including court costs.

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

Fisheries Conservation: Unlicensed fishing (13), possession of undersized white perch (1)*, possession of undersized striped bass (1), illegal use of cast net in tidal water within 300 feet of a dam or spillway (1), possession of undersized blue crabs (1), and illegal sale of blue crabs without a commercial license (1).

Boating and Boating Safety: Failure to maintain a proper lookout while operating a vessel (1), operating an unregistered vessel (1), no boating safety certificate (1), and no tidal/non-tidal boat ramp certificate (1).

* Citation issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area, plus five citations for unlicensed fishing.

Are you AWARE?
DNREC’s Division of 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.

A turtle by-catch reduction device is attached in the funnel entrance of a recreational crab pot to reduce the possibility of diamondback terrapins entering the pots and drowning. The device is a rigid metal or plastic rectangular frame that measures 1.75 inches by 4.75 inches. By-catch devices are available at local tackle shops or may be handmade of heavy wire. Directions to install a by-catch reduction device are available online at Turtle Excluder.

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 individual wildlife areas, including the rules and regulations specific to each, visitors are encouraged to check out Delaware wildlife area maps, which are available in hard copy at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk and online at Delaware Wildlife Area Maps.

Delaware fishing licenses are sold online, at the licensing desk in DNREC’s Richardson & Robbins Building, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, and by license agents statewide. To find a participating agent, or to purchase a license online, visit Delaware Licenses. For additional information on Delaware fishing licenses, call 302-739-9918.

For more information on crabbing in Delaware, click on 2016 Delaware Fishing Guide. The guide also is available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk, and from license agents throughout the state.

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.

Media Contacts: Sgt. John McDerby, DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913 or 302-354-1386, or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 156

DOVER – If you are a Delaware student aged 12 to 15 with an interest in natural resources and law enforcement, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police still has openings for a new summer youth academy that can take you inside both worlds for experiencing the roles and responsibilities of a Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officer.

The week-long program will run from Monday thru Friday, July 18-22, and meet daily from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Ommelanden Hunter Education Training Center, 1205 River Road, New Castle, DE 19720. The NRP Youth Academy is free of charge, and open to all Delaware youth aged 12 to 15, with lunch provided for all participants.

The academy is limited this year to the first 20 qualified applicants, with priority given to those who have not already completed a hunter safety course or boating safety course. Applications also must include a 250-word essay on why the applicant wants to take part in the academy, and what Delaware’s natural resources mean to her or him. The application deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, May 13.

Participants chosen for the Natural Resources Police youth academy will learn about various aspects of natural resources law enforcement; receive instruction in hunting and boating safety and participate in field activities similar to those experienced by an NRP officer. Youth who complete the program will receive both hunter and boating safety certifications.

“The Youth Academy is a great opportunity for youths to get a firsthand look at what it’s like to be a Natural Resources Police officer, and to learn about protecting our natural resources,” said NRP Captain Drew Aydelotte, noting that it’s also an opportunity to nurture the relationship between Delaware’s natural resources law enforcement officers and the community. “By attending our youth police academy, participants will meet NRP officers and gain insight into the responsibilities we take on every day.”

Applications for the Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Youth Academy are available online at de.gov/fwenforcement, and at DNREC’s licensing desk, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901. For more information, please contact Lt. Brian Pollock at 302-365-8703 or Brian.Pollock@delaware.gov.

This project is part of Delaware’s Children in Nature Initiative, a statewide effort to improve environmental literacy in Delaware, create opportunities for children to participate in enriching outdoor experiences, combat childhood obesity and promote healthy lifestyles. Delaware’s multi-agency initiative, which partners state and federal agencies with community organizations, is part of the national No Child Left Inside program.

Media Contacts: Sgt. John McDerby, DNREC Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913 or 302-354-1386, or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 153

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife invites anglers and photography enthusiasts to enter the 2016 Delaware Fishing Photo Contest. The winning photo will be featured either on the cover or in the 2017 Delaware Fishing Guide to be published early next year.

A judging panel comprised of DNREC staff will be looking for photos that best portray this year’s contest theme, “Fishing with Family or Friends,” by depicting anglers enjoying fishing in the great outdoors with their family or friends. Judges also will be looking at technical criteria including resolution, clarity and composition.

“The photography contest is a great chance for anglers to showcase and share their fishing adventures with other anglers,” said Division of Fish & Wildlife Director David Saveikis. “The theme helps reinforce and capture the fun of a shared outdoor fishing experience.”

The contest is open to Delaware residents of all ages, with a maximum of three entries per person. To be eligible, photographs must have been taken in Delaware. Portrait orientation is preferred; landscape photos, if chosen among contest winners, may be cropped for presentation.

The contest opens Sunday, May 1. Entries may be mailed to DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Photo Contest, Attention: Jennifer Childears, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901. All entries must be postmarked or delivered by Saturday, Oct. 31, and must include a completed and signed entry form and photo release form if the photograph contains images of children.

Photos must be submitted as 8 x 10 photo quality prints, with no frames or mats and no markings or signatures on the front or back. Winning entries must be made available in a digital version with resolution of 300 dpi or greater (when blown up to 8 x 10 inches).

Normal processing of RAW image files, minimal cropping and minor adjustments to color and contrast are acceptable. HDR and focus stacking are permitted as long as manipulation is disclosed upon entry. Nothing should be added to the image or, aside from dust spots, taken away. The entrant must hold all rights to the photograph and must not infringe on the rights of any other person. Images that involve unlawful harm to fish or damage to the environment should not be submitted and will not be accepted. Entries will not be returned.

For more information, including entry forms, please visit Fish & Wildlife photo contest or contact Jennifer Childears at 302-739-9910, or email jennifer.childears@delaware.gov.

Media Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 151

HARTLY – Following a criminal investigation, a Hartly man was arrested April 25 by Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police for multiple weapons and hunting violations, including possession of weapons by a person prohibited.

Roy K. Bryant 3rd, 28, was charged with four felony counts of possession of a firearm by a person prohibited and one count each of possession of ammunition by a person prohibited and harassing migratory waterfowl in connection with an April 16 nighttime incident involving firing a shotgun at a Canada goose on a pond in Hartly.

In connection with a separate waterfowl-related incident in January, Bryant also was charged with one count each of no hunting license, no Delaware waterfowl stamp, no federal waterfowl stamp and no harvest information program (HIP) number, all of which are required for hunting migratory waterfowl in Delaware.

Officers seized as evidence 13 firearms (eight shotguns, two rifles, two black powder revolvers and a muzzleloader rifle), a compound bow and arrows, two knives and an assortment of ammunition.
Bryant was taken to Justice of the Peace Court 7 in Dover, arraigned and released on $5,500 unsecured bond, pending a court appearance at a later date.

Delaware law prohibits persons with certain prior convictions, including felonies, from owning or possessing any type of deadly weapon. Among these are all firearms, as well as ammunition and any type of bow – compound, recurve or crossbow – which are considered deadly weapons. Penalties for violations range from probation and fines to jail sentences.

The DNREC 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 and 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.

Media Contacts: Sgt. John McDerby, Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913 or 302-354-1386, or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 150