DOVER – DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police arrested a Dover woman Monday for multiple drug-related charges at the Division of Fish & Wildlife-managed Lebanon Landing Fishing Area in Kent County.

Juliana N. Strobel, 24, was charged with two counts of possession of a controlled or counterfeit substance/cocaine and the street drug commonly known as Ecstasy, one count each of: possession of drug paraphernalia not marijuana-related, marijuana personal use quantity 21 or older – civil, and failure to have driver’s license in possession. Strobel was arraigned at Justice of the Peace Court 7 in Dover, where she was released on an $800 unsecured bond after her case was transferred to the Court of Common Pleas.

Media Contact: Sgt. Brooke Mitchell, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-382-7167 or 302-739-9913, or Joanna Wilson, DNREC Public Affairs, 302-739-9902

Reminder for the week: Sign up to take Delaware’s new, interactive boating safety course

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 July 16-22 made 2,989 contacts with anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 32 citations. Officers responded to 63 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 July 17-21, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers held their Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Advanced Youth Academy at the Ommelanden Hunter Education Building near New Castle. Eleven kids, ages 12-15, participated and received their turkey hunter education course certificates.
• On July 18, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers provided a K-9 demonstration with K-9 Rosco for campers at Camp Barnes near Frankford.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Action

Incident of note:

• On July 21, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested Samual R. Ellers Sr., 63, of Harrington, with one count each of: operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area, damaging state property on a wildlife area, trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area, and dumping on a state wildlife area at the Norman G. Wilder Wildlife Area near Felton. Ellers was arraigned at Kent County Justice of the Peace Court 7, where his case was transferred to the Court of Common Pleas and was released on his own recognizance.

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

Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: No F.I.N. (6), possession of undersized blue crab (2), crab pot tampering (1), use of crab pots without required turtle excluder (1), and possession of undersized summer flounder (4).

Boating and Boating Safety: Failure to observe slow no wake (1), no life jacket on a child age 12 or younger as required by law (1), operating an unregistered vessel (1), negligent operation of a vessel (1), operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (1), and no boating safety certificate (1).

Public Safety: Possession of drug paraphernalia (1) and target shooting on a state forest (2).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (5), operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (2)*, damaging state property on a wildlife area (1), and dumping on 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 Office of Boating Safety & Education has made Delaware the “first state” to approve and launch a new, interactive boating safety course. For years, Delaware has been offering online courses in addition to the instructor-led classes, but the technology upgrade brings a variety of educational methods to the online course with a more interactive and gamified approach. The Office of Boating Safety & Education hopes that the gamified, interactive course will appeal to a large portion of students, and will further aid in the retention of the key safety information.

The interactive boating safety course was developed in partnership with Kalkomey. More information, and to sign-up for the interactive boating safety course, is available on the Boating Safety web page.

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

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

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 July 9-15 made 3,625 contacts with anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 55 citations. Officers responded to 105 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 July 10-14, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers held their Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Advanced Youth Academy at the Little Creek Hunter Education Building, near Little Creek. Twelve kids, ages 12-15, participated and received their turkey hunter education course certificates.
• On July 12, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers discussed the role of Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers and answered hunting, fishing, and boating questions for kids attending the White Clay Creek State Park’s Adventure Rangers summer camp. The campers were taken on a police boat ride as well.
• On July 14, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers attended the annual Nanticoke Riverfest Float-In near Seaford where they patrolled on a vessel to ensure the safety of the approximate 2,000 attendees floating on the Nanticoke River.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Action

Incident of note:

• On July 9, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers cited an individual for one count of unlawful to rehabilitate any wildlife without a permit following an investigation of a white tail deer fawn being kept and rehabilitated in an apartment near Wilmington. The individual was fined $107, including court costs and released. The fawn was transported to a certified wildlife rehabilitator for treatment and eventual release.

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

Wildlife Conservation: Unlawful to rehabilitate any wildlife without a permit (1).

Fisheries Conservation: Possession of undersized blue crab (13), unlicensed fishing (7), trespass to fish (1), use of recreational crab pots without required turtle excluder (1), recreational crab pot tampering (2), over-the-limit recreational crab pots (1), clamming in a prohibited area (2), and possession of over-the-limit hard clams (1).

Boating and Boating Safety: Operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (5), water skiing without a life jacket (1), failure to observe slow no wake (1), no boat registration card in possession (2), no life jacket on a child age 12 or younger as required by law (4), operating an unregistered vessel (3), negligent operation of a vessel (1), failure to maintain a proper lookout – rear observer on PWC (1), and operating a personal watercraft without a life jacket (1).

Public Safety: Possession of marijuana – civil (1) and operating a motor vehicle at an unreasonable speed (1).

Other: Operating a motor vehicle off an established roadway on a state wildlife area (1), trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (3), and damaging state property (1).

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?

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.

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 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.

More information on crabbing in Delaware is available in the 2018 Delaware Fishing Guide. The guide also is available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk, and from license agents throughout the state.

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

Reminder for the week: Entering after hours on state wildlife areas continues to be an issue

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 July 2-8 made 3,940 contacts with anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 83 citations. Officers responded to 129 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.

Citations issued by category, with the number of charges in parentheses, included: Fisheries Conservation: Recreational: Unlicensed fishing (9), no F.I.N. (2), trespass to fish (1), possession of undersized blue crab (9), over-the-limit crab pots (1), possession of over-the-limit hard clams (1), possession of undersized black seabass (1), possession of undersized striped bass (1), and possession of flounder parts (1). Commercial: No commercial crabbing license (1).

Boating and Boating Safety: Failure to observe slow no wake (3), no tidal boat ramp certificate (1), no life jacket on a child age 12 or younger as required by law (6), operating an unregistered vessel (4), failure to maintain a proper lookout (1), negligent operation of a personal watercraft (2), allowing use of non-compliant vessel (2), operating a personal watercraft without a life jacket (4), no navigation lights (2), no sound-producing device (1), and no boating safety certificate (6).

Public Safety: Possession of marijuana – civil (1)* and possession of drug paraphernalia (2).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (19)*, littering (1), and operating an unregistered vehicle (golf cart) in a 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?

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 drug use, littering, and damaging wildlife habitat.

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.

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

Members of the 2018 DNREC Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Basic Youth Academy class learning to march last week.

Reminder for the week: Anglers need fishing license, FIN Number

DOVER (July 6, 2018) – 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 June 25-July 1 made 4,257 contacts with anglers, boaters, and the general public, issuing 135 citations. Officers responded to 102 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

• June 25-29, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers held their Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Basic Youth Academy at the Ommelanden Hunter Education Center, near New Castle. Twenty kids, ages 12-15, participated and received their hunting and boating education certificates.

Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police Action

Incident of note:

• On July 1, Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police officers arrested an individual for 77 counts of possession of undersized blue crabs while commercial crabbing in the Delaware Bay. He was arraigned at Kent County justice of the Peace Court 7, where he pleaded guilty and was fined $1,545 and released.

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

Fisheries Conservation: Unlicensed fishing (2), failure to have required fisheries identification number (FIN) (1), possession of undersized blue crab-recreational (3), possession of undersized blue crab-commercial (80), possession of undersized white perch (1), over the limit recreational crab pots (2) and recreational crab pot tampering (1).

Boating and Boating Safety: No life jacket on a child age 12 or younger as required by law (4), operating a vessel with insufficient number of life jackets (3), negligent operation of a vessel (3), no tidal boat ramp certificate (2), operating under the influence of alcohol (1), towing a water skier without required observer (1), failure to observe slow no wake zone (4), failure to observe slow no wake zone-PWC (1), no Type IV PFD (1), no boating safety certificate (2) and operating an unregistered vessel (1).

Public Safety: Shellfish in a closed polluted area-recreational clamming (4), driving with a suspended license (1), civil possession of marijuana (2), possession of drug paraphernalia- marijuana related (4), possession of drug paraphernalia (2) and possession of prescription drugs not in original container (1).

Other: Trespassing after hours on a state wildlife area (7)*, and fictitious vehicle registration (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 http://de.gov/ogt.

Are you AWARE?
Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police remind recreational anglers that a Delaware fishing license is required for fishing, crabbing, and clamming in both tidal and non-tidal waters statewide.

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. For non-resident anglers age 16 and older, a Delaware fishing license costs $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 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 2018 Delaware Fishing Guide. The guide also is available in printed form at DNREC’s Dover licensing desk, and from license agents throughout the state.

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: Lt. John McDerby, 302-354-1386, Sgt. Brooke Africa, 302-382-7167, or Fish & Wildlife Natural Resources Police, 302-739-9913.