Reminder for the week: Visitors to fishing areas, boat ramps and wildlife areas reminded to take trash with them when they leave

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’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between June 13-19 made 1,939 contacts with anglers, boaters and the general public, including 253 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks. Officers responded to 45 complaints and issued 52 citations. This week, with an expanded Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continuing to be deployed as a deterrent, no citations were issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and associated recreational trail.

Incidents of note:

• On June 16, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested Robert L. Wheatley, 73, of Seaford, and charged him with two counts of carrying a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle and one count each of hunting from a motor vehicle and driving under the influence of alcohol (DUI) near Seaford. Wheatley was released pending a mandatory court appearance at a later date.
• On June 14, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited Alexander Bati, 45, of Wilmington, for recreational crab pot tampering and Timothy Roehm, 53, of Lititz, Pa., for use of a recreational crab pot without required turtle excluder on the Inland Bays. Both face fines of $107 each, including court costs.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (2).

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Unlicensed fishing (6), recreational crab pot tampering (1), use of recreational crab pots without required turtle excluder (1), possession of undersized weakfish (1), and possession of undersized summer flounder (1).
Commercial: Improper display of commercial crabbing license number on crab pot floats (22).

Boating and Boating Safety: Negligent operation of a vessel (1), operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (2), no life jacket on a child age 12 or younger as required by law (1), operating/riding a personal watercraft without wearing a lifejacket as required by law (2), failure to observe slow-no-wake zone (1), allowing use of a non-compliant vessel (1), no boat ramp certificate (1), and no boating education certificate (5).

Public Safety: Driving under the influence (1), carrying a loaded firearm in a motor vehicle (2), and hunting from a motor vehicle (1).

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police News, Training and Outreach
On June 17, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police’s new K-9 teams AFC Chelsea Allen and K-9 Officer River and AFC Josh Hudson and K-9 Officer Rosco graduated from the Maryland Natural Resources Police K-9 Academy following an intensive 10-week training course. The K-9s and their partners are now certified in human tracking, evidence location and wildlife evidence tracking of deer and wild turkeys.

Are you AWARE?
DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind visitors to state wildlife areas, fishing piers, public boat launching facilities and multi-use areas to take any trash they generate with them when they leave.

“Littering can be a problem, especially in many fishing areas, so please observe the carry-in, carry-out rule and leave no trace behind,” said Sgt. John McDerby, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police. “Those who are caught leaving trash in these areas will be fined for littering.”

For more information on individual wildlife areas, including the rules and regulations specific to each area, visitors are encouraged to review Delaware wildlife area maps published by the Division of Fish & Wildlife. The maps are available in hard copy at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, and also can be found online at Delaware Wildlife Area Maps.

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.

Contact: 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

Reminder for the week: Visitors to Delaware’s wildlife, fishing and boating areas asked to respect natural resources

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’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between June 6-12 made 1772 contacts with anglers, boaters and the general public, including 244 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks. Officers responded to 52 complaints and issued 21 citations. This week, with an expanded Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police presence continuing to be deployed as a deterrent, no citations were issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area and associated recreational trail.

Incidents of note:

• On June 10, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested Jack R. Riley, 39, of Basking Ridge, N.J., for disorderly conduct following an incident at the Paradise Grill in Pot-Nets Bayside near Long Neck. Riley was remanded to the Sussex County Correctional Institute in Georgetown due to alcohol intoxication. He was later arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court 3 in Georgetown and released with a no-contact order with Paradise Grill, pending a court appearance at a later date.
• On June 10, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited John Beck, 65, of Milton, for negligent operation of a vessel in connection with a two-vessel crash at North Shore Marina in Indian River Bay. Damage to the two vessels was estimated at about $2,000. Beck was fined $107, including court costs

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

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Unlicensed fishing (8), possession of undersized blue crab (2), recreational crab pot tampering (1), use of recreational crab pots without required turtle excluder (1), and possession of undersized striped bass (1).

Boating and Boating Safety: Negligent operation of a vessel (1), operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (1), failure to observe slow-no-wake zone (2), towing a water skier or tube without required observer (1), no boat ramp certificate (1), and no boating education certificate (1).

Public Safety: Disorderly conduct (1).

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police News, Training and Outreach

• On June 11, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers assisted the Delaware Center for the Inland Bays with the annual Inland Bays Cleanup as Masseys Landing Boat Ramp. The event drew about 50 volunteers. The Operation Game Theft trailer was displayed at the event.
• On June 10, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police AFC Josh Hudson and his K-9 partner Rosco, a Labrador retriever, attended a “Touch-a-Truck” event with their patrol truck in Lewes. Children at the event enjoyed meeting Rosco, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police’s new K-9 officer based in Sussex County.

Are you AWARE?
With the arrival of summer, DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police are increasing patrols and closely monitoring state wildlife areas, fishing piers, public boat launching facilities and multi-use areas for visitor safety and compliance, as well as checking for illegal activity such as vandalism, littering, dumping and damaging wildlife habitat.

“The public is encouraged to enjoy our wildlife, fishing and boating access areas and the unique outdoor experiences they offer,” said Sgt. John McDerby of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police. “However, as stewards of this land for the general public, we cannot allow the few people who do not respect our conservation mission to ruin things for the many who do. Those caught abusing our natural resources through illegal activities will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

State wildlife areas, fishing piers and boat launching facilities are closed to the public from sunset to sunrise unless a person is actively and lawfully engaged in fishing, hunting or boating in accordance with state regulations and individual wildlife area rules. Individuals not meeting these requirements and found at these sites between sunset and sunrise face fines up to $100 for trespassing after hours.

Wildlife area visitors also are reminded that it is illegal to operate motor vehicles – including motorcycles, cars, trucks and SUVs – off established roadways in state wildlife areas. Violators found to cause damage also will be cited for destruction of state property. In addition, operating a motor vehicle that is not licensed for use on established public roadways – including ATVs – is prohibited both on and off-road on state wildlife areas.

The following rules also apply to all state wildlife areas, fishing piers, public boat launching facilities and multi-use areas:

• Camping, swimming, target shooting (including paintball), dumping and littering, and fires are prohibited.
• Dog training is permitted only within established dog training areas or during open hunting seasons for the game animals that the dog is being trained to hunt.
• Hunting is permitted only in specified areas and only during designated hunting seasons.
• Firearms are prohibited on state wildlife areas from March 1 to Aug. 31, except during legal hunting seasons or as authorized by the Division of Fish & Wildlife.
• All of these sites have a carry-in, carry-out trash policy.

“Littering can be a problem, especially in many fishing areas, so please leave no trace behind and take your trash with you,” Sgt. McDerby said.

For more information on individual wildlife areas, including the rules and regulations specific to each area, visitors are encouraged to give close attention to Delaware wildlife area maps published by the Division of Fish & Wildlife. The maps are available in hard copy at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk, 89 Kings Highway, Dover, DE 19901, and also can be found online at Delaware Wildlife Area Maps.

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 Contact: 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. 221

Reminder for the week: Paddle boards are vessels – and boating regulations apply

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’s Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers between May 23-29 made 3,450 contacts with anglers, boaters and the general public, including 659 vessel boardings for boating safety and fishing regulation compliance checks. Officers responded to 109 complaints and issued 87 citations, 12 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 May 29, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited Andrey Pristatskiy, 38, of Philadelphia, for crab pot tampering and no fishing license in Little Assawoman Bay. Pristatskiy was fined $272, including court costs.
• On May 28, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, following a routine safety check, cited Jeremy S. Halter, 44, of Odessa, for one count each of operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol (OUI), operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets and no throwable life preserver aboard as required for vessels 16 feet long or longer, in the Delaware River south of Augustine Beach. Halter was released pending a mandatory appearance in Justice of the Peace Court 9 in Middletown.
• On May 27, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited Michael P. McKinley, 53, of Newark, for one count each of inattentive operation of a vessel and operating an unregistered vessel following an investigation into a boating accident in which a 53-foot vessel ran aground on the north shore of the C&D Canal. McKinley was fined $214, including court costs. No injuries were reported.
• On May 23, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police cited Mikel A. Couch, 22, of Newark, for one count each of possession of marijuana, operating a motor vehicle without insurance, operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area and damaging state property on a wildlife area in connection with an incident in which a vehicle got stuck off-road in the dog training area of the C&D Canal Conservation Area. Couch was issued a mandatory appearance in Justice of the Peace Court 9 in Middletown, and then taken to the Kent County Court of Common Pleas, where he was wanted on cash-only bail for an unrelated warrant. A passenger in the vehicle, Elias R. Cruz, 19, of Clayton, N.C., was charged with possession of marijuana and fined $131, including court costs.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (1)*, and damaging state property on a wildlife area (1)*.

Fisheries Conservation: Unlicensed fishing (25), possession of undersized blue crabs (4), tending more than the limit of two recreational crab pots (1), improperly marked recreational crab pot (1), crab pot tampering (1), possession of undersized white perch (5), and possession of undersized summer flounder (1).

Boating and Boating Safety: Operating a vessel under the influence of alcohol/OUI (1), inattentive operation of a vessel (1), operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (16), no life jacket on a child age 12 or younger as required by law (5), no throwable life preserver aboard as required for vessels 16 feet long or longer (1), non-serviceable life jacket (1), failure to observe slow-no-wake zone (5), no boating education certificate (8), no sound-producing device on board (2), allowing use of a non-compliant vessel (1), and operating an unregistered vessel (2).

Public Safety: Possession of marijuana (2)*, operating a motor vehicle without insurance (1)*, and parking in a no stopping/no standing zone (1).

* Citations issued at the C&D Canal Conservation Area, along with unlicensed fishing (3), and possession of undersized white perch (4).

Are you AWARE?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind paddle boarders – especially those new to the increasingly popular sport – to review Delaware’s boating laws and regulations and how they apply to paddle boards before heading out on the waterways.

In recent years, the sport of paddle boarding has grown immensely in popularity in Delaware. Paddle boarders can often be seen on many of Delaware’s waterways throughout the summertime.

So just what is a paddle board? A paddle board is configured similarly to a surfboard, but is usually longer and thicker. The operator of a paddle board stands upright on the board and propels it through the water using a long paddle.

The United States Coast Guard and the State of Delaware recognize a paddle board as a vessel when operated outside the confines of a surfing or swimming area. Therefore, many of the same vessel requirements for personal flotation devices, visual distress signals, sound producing devices and the use of a navigational light during low light conditions apply when paddle boards are operated in Delaware waters.

A paddle board less than 16 feet in length** must meet the following safety equipment requirements when operated in Delaware waters:

• All paddle boarders must have a United States Coast Guard-approved life jacket on board.
• Any child age 12 and younger must wear a USCG-approved life jacket at all times while on a paddle board.
• Paddle boarders must carry a whistle, horn or some other sounding device capable of making an efficient sound signal.
• When operating between the hours of sunset and sunrise, paddle boarders must carry a visual distress signal – an electric distress light or flares – suitable for night use. This applies to all boards operated on coastal waters and directly-connected waters (bays, sounds, harbors, rivers, inlets, etc.) which are two miles wide or wider.
• When operating between the hours of sunset and sunrise, a paddle boarder also must have an electric torch or lighted lantern showing a white light ready at hand for use as a navigation light, which must be exhibited in sufficient time to prevent collision.

**Paddle boards longer than 16 feet may have additional safety requirements.

For more information on safe boating practices in Delaware, including more details on life jackets and other safety equipment, please visit www.dnrec.delaware.gov/Delaware_Boating_Safety.

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. 207

DOVER – The DNREC Division of Water’s Wetlands and Subaqueous Lands Section will conduct a public hearing Wednesday, June 8 to solicit input on the proposed Statewide Activity Approval (SAA) for shellfish aquaculture in specific, designated shellfish aquaculture development areas (SADA) in Delaware. The hearing will start at 6 p.m. at the Millville Fire Hall, 35554 Atlantic Ave, Millville, DE 19970.

The SAA, if adopted by DNREC, would be used by the Division of Water to more efficiently issue approvals for the use of subaqueous lands after shellfish aquaculture lease applicants have received authorization from the Division of Fish & Wildlife for shellfish aquaculture activities within specific portions of the SADAs previously established under 7 DE Admin Code 3800 Shellfish Aquaculture Regulation. The public is advised that the upcoming hearing will address only the use of the SAAs by the Division of Water to more efficiently review applications and issue permits – the state’s shellfish aquaculture regulation is not the subject of this hearing.

The SADAs eligible for approval by the Statewide Activity Approval, with their parenthetical designations, include Indian River Bay (IR-A), Rehoboth Bay (RB-A, RB-B, RB-C), and Little Assawoman Bay (LA-B in part and LA-D), specifically.

DNREC had previously published public notice of the proposed Statewide Activity Approval, accepting public comments on the SAA process during the March 23 – April 12, 2016 comment period. Subsequently, the Department determined that the public interest warranted holding the upcoming public hearing on the SAA, according to Wetlands & Subaqueous Lands Administrator Steven Smailer.

Anyone wishing to comment on the proposed SAA may present written statements through the close of the public comment period, which has been reopened and extended until the conclusion of the June 8 public hearing. Interested parties may also present comment orally or in written form at the hearing. Persons who want to speak at the public hearing are encouraged to register through DNREC’s hearing officer Robert Haynes in advance and no later than June 6. This registration will be used to determine the order of speakers at the public hearing.

Registration and any written comments should be sent either by emailing Robert.Haynes@delaware.gov or by mail to:

Robert P. Haynes, Esq.
Senior Hearing Officer
Office of the Secretary
Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control
P.O. Box 1401
89 Kings Highway,
Dover, DE 19901

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

Vol. 46, No. 204

DOVER – Been thinking about casting a line into a nearby pond or daydreaming of a sunny afternoon at the beach with your surf rod, but just haven’t gotten around to purchasing your 2016 Delaware fishing license? DNREC’s Division of Fish & Wildlife has an opportunity for you.

To celebrate National Fishing and Boating Week, June 4-12, the Division of Fish & Wildlife invites you to try your luck fishing, crabbing and clamming by offering free fishing days on Saturday and Sunday, June 4 and 5. On these two days, anyone, out-of-staters included, may fish the state’s waters without a fishing license.

Anglers are reminded that even though they don’t need a license to fish on June 4 or 5, they are still required to obtain a free Fisherman Identification Network (F.I.N.) number. A F.I.N. number can be obtained online at www.delaware-fin.com or by calling 800-432-9228. Anglers also are required to comply with Delaware’s fishing regulations, including size and daily catch limits.

National Fishing and Boating Week festivities will also include the Division of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police’s 30th Annual Youth Fishing Tournament from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 4. The event will take place at a pond in each county: Ingrams Pond near Millsboro, Wyoming Pond in Wyoming and the dog training area at Lums Pond State Park near Bear. Participants are asked to arrive before 10 a.m. to register for the tournament.

With the exception of Delaware’s annual free fishing weekend, resident and non-resident anglers from the ages of 16 through 64 who fish, crab or clam in any Delaware waters – including ponds, impoundments, streams, rivers, bays and ocean – are required to purchase a fishing license. Delaware residents 65 or older and both residents and non-residents under age 16 are not required to purchase a license, although exempt persons may purchase fishing licenses if they so choose to help support fisheries management. Licenses are required for non-residents age 65 and older.

Delaware fishing licenses cost $8.50 for residents, while non-residents pay $20 a year or $12.50 for a seven-day license. 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 fishing information, 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.

The Youth Fishing Tournament 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 Contact: Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Vol. 46, No. 197