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 are offering 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 http://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.

Media Contacts: Cpl. 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. 66

DOVER – The American eel would seem one of the slipperiest species to get a population handle on, but a new DNREC YouTube Channel video shows otherwise – with Division of Fish & Wildlife biologists conducting a survey of young “glass eels” tallied thousands at a time by “enumerating them volumetrically” with a device known as a splitter box.

On a single splitter capture, as DNREC’s YouTube Channel documented the effort, more than 7,000 eels were counted – which fisheries biologist Jordan Zimmerman said indicated a good abundance of American eels in the Delaware Estuary (a survey day earlier this year turned up 65,000 glass eels, while another day’s count in a recent year reached almost 100,000).

The glass eel count program was established as a fisheries management plan tool for monitoring reproduction in the American eel. “Glass eels” are another stage of the American eel’s life cycle, first stage being the egg, which hatches into larvae drifting on the Gulf Stream and eventually metamorphosing to the glass eel stage and swimming toward shore and the estuaries. “The glass eel gets its name because it’s fairly translucent. Once it reaches fresh water, it will start to get pigment, and will eventually become what’s known as a yellow eel,” says Zimmerman.

Eels in Delaware remain in the yellow phase from six to 10 years, when they metamorphose again into the silver eel phase. “They essentially cease eating at that point…for the long migration back to the Sargasso Sea and the Caribbean” – to spawn once before they die, and start the eel migration cycle back to Delaware waters.

“Eels play both a valuable ecological and economical role in Delaware,” Zimmerman says in the video, “typically averaging out to be the third largest finfishery here in terms of their economic value. Ecologically, they are prey for numerous species of birds, fish, turtles, etc.”

On the DNREC YouTube Channel video Zimmerman is convinced by this year’s glass eel survey that “Things are looking up for the abundance of American eel, and the persistence of the species, and its (continued) importance in the Delaware Estuary.”

Media Contact: Michael Globetti, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 67

Reminder for week: Anglers need fishing license, trout stamp, FIN number for trout season

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 Feb. 22-28 made 1,245 contacts with anglers, boaters, hunters and the general public, including 32 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks. Officers responded to 28 complaints and issued 24 citations, one of which was related to the C&D Canal Conservation Area and associated recreational trail, where there is an increased Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence.

An incident of note:

• On Feb. 27, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited Jonathan D. Ryan, 34, of Lewes for one count of possession of marijuana at the C&D Canal Conservation Area near Middletown. Ryan was fined $131 including court costs for the civil violation.

Citations issued this week by offense category included the following, with the number of charges in parentheses:

Wildlife Conservation: Operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (1), trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (3), hunting snow geese without a Conservation Order number/federal regulation (3), and littering/dumping on a state wildlife area (1).

Fisheries Conservation: Possession of undersized striped bass (2), and possession of undersized white perch (1).

Boating and Boating Safety: Operating an unregistered vessel (1).

Public Safety: Possession of marijuana (3)*, possession of a controlled or counterfeit substance/heroin (1), and possession of drug paraphernalia (1).

Natural Resources Police processed the following charges for Delaware State Police: Criminal impersonation (2), driving without a valid license (1), driving with a suspended or revoked license (2), and speeding in excess posted limits (2).

* One citation for possession of marijuana was issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area.

• NOTE: See DNREC press release detailing charges included in this week’s blotter: DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrest Felton man on drug charges and multiple warrants

Are you AWARE?

DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police reminds anglers that with trout season opening downstate at 7 a.m. Saturday, March 5 and other spring fishing opportunities coming up soon, they will need to purchase their 2016 Delaware fishing license and, specifically for trout fishing, a state trout stamp. Trout will be stocked in Tidbury Pond near Dover in Kent County and Newton Pond outside of Greenwood in Sussex County. Both ponds are currently closed to all fishing until opening day on March 5. Upstate, trout season in six stocked trout streams opens at 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 2.

A resident annual Delaware recreational fishing license, which covers fresh and tidal waters as well as crabbing and clamming, costs $8.50 for ages 16 through 64. Persons under the age of 16 and residents age 65 and older are not required to purchase fishing licenses in Delaware, although exempt persons may purchase fishing licenses and trout stamps if they so choose to help support fisheries management and trout stocking efforts. For non-resident anglers age 16 and older, a Delaware fishing license costs $20.

Most trout anglers also must purchase a Delaware Trout Stamp, with the exception of anglers younger than age 12 and resident anglers age 65 and older. For residents age 16 through 64, a trout stamp costs $4.20. For residents age 12 through 15, a youth trout stamp costs $2.10. For non-residents, a trout stamp is required for all anglers age 12 and older and costs $6.20.

Both resident and non-resident anglers age 16 and older also are required to obtain a Delaware Fisherman Information Network (FIN) number. The free number is included as part of a Delaware fishing license purchase. License-exempt anglers, including Delaware residents 65 and older, may visit www.delaware-fin.com or call 800-432-9228 toll-free to obtain their free FIN number.

Delaware fishing licenses and trout stamps 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, call 302-739-9918.

For more information on fishing 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: Cpl. 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. 68

DOVER – DNREC’s Division of Parks and Recreation reminds visitors to Delaware’s state parks that entrance fees are now being collected through Nov.30.

Revenue generated from park entrance fees is used to manage 16 state parks and more than 26,000 acres of state park lands. Delaware’s state parks are primarily self-funded, with 65 percent of revenue to operate and maintain the parks generated by park users. The revenue is used for trail maintenance, environmental and recreational programs, visitor amenities, guarded beaches, management of campgrounds, cabins, and more.

Daily park entrance fees for vehicles registered in Delaware are $4 at inland parks and $5 at ocean parks. Fees for out-of-state vehicles are $8 at inland parks and $10 at ocean parks. Where fee attendants are not on duty, visitors should deposit the daily fee in the self-registration envelopes provided at park entrances and place them in the designated secured drop boxes.

Annual passes are a convenient way to access the parks for the entire fee season. “For just $35, Delaware residents can enjoy unlimited park visits to get their children outdoors and to enjoy the parks with friends and family,” said Ray Bivens, Director of Delaware State Parks. “I’d want to thank all those who support our efforts to preserve and protect open space, improve services and expand recreational opportunities. As we celebrate the 65th anniversary of Delaware State Parks, it is truly the support of Delawareans and visitors to our state that has been the cornerstone of a wonderfully diverse parks system. “

There are several categories of passes. Annual park passes may be purchased online at destateparks.com, at all state park offices and at DNREC’s main office in the Richardson & Robbins building at 89 Kings Highway in Dover.

Media Contact: Beth Shockley, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 65

DOVER – DNREC Secretary David Small has issued a Notice of Administrative Penalty Assessment and Secretary’s Order to Oakwood Village at Lewes LLC (Oakwood Village) for violations of Delaware’s sediment and stormwater regulations, and Regulations Governing the Control of Water Pollution. The order includes an administrative penalty of $36,900 and an additional $5,535 in cost recovery reimbursement to DNREC.

Oakwood Village is a multi-phase subdivision in Sussex County comprising almost 64 acres with 115 single family units. The subdivision is being built in phases and is in the process of completing the final phase. Unless exempted under state law and Delaware’s sediment and stormwater Regulations, any entity disturbing land greater than 5,000 square feet (one-eighth acre) must comply with its approved sediment and stormwater management plan from DNREC or its delegated agencies.

The Sussex Conservation District referred Oakwood Village to DNREC for enforcement action in July 2014. Subsequent construction site reviews at Oakwood Village found six violations between July and October of 2014. The violations cited by DNREC were: deficiencies of the stabilized construction entrance, inlet protection, vegetative stabilization, silt fence, and maintenance.

The Secretary’s Order can be found on DNREC’s website at http://www.dnrec.delaware.gov/Info/Pages/SecOrders_Enforcement.aspx.

Oakwood Village has 30 days to request a public hearing.

Media Contact: Michael Globetti, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 63