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 – 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

DOVER – Delaware State Parks and Cape Henlopen State Park have kicked off a fundraising campaign this month through Kickstarter.com to raise money for new camping cabins at the popular beach vacation spot.

Kickstarter, a popular crowdfunding site, boasts a global community built around creative projects where people from around the world can find the resources needed to transform ideas into reality. To date, tens of thousands of projects – big and small – have come to life with the support of the Kickstarter community.

DNREC’s Division of Parks & Recreation Director Ray Bivens is hopeful that backers will help fund the project, giving the gift of great family memories to more Cape Henlopen State Park visitors at an affordable price. “I am always happy to hear visitors tell me they look forward to bringing their family to our parks each year, spending camping trips with us as their annual family vacation,” Bivens said. “We are proud of this Kickstarter campaign as it will increase the opportunity for more families to share in an enjoyable, educational, relaxing and most of all, affordable vacation.”

Delaware State Parks made the decision to add additional camping cabins to the park after realizing the popularity the original six cabins saw during the peak season in 2015. “With a 97 percent occupancy rate and more than 1,500 people enjoying the cabins last year, we saw a need to give more visitors the opportunity to enjoy what Cape Henlopen has to offer,” said Cape Henlopen State Park Manager Paul Faircloth. “According to last year’s numbers and the projected numbers for 2016, these cabins will allow us to host around 2,000 people throughout the peak season.”

Campaign backers who have yet to secure plans for Memorial Day weekend will have the opportunity for special rewards by donation levels. A $500 donor, for example, would enjoy being the first to stay in the new cabins over Memorial Day Weekend. Other rewards include annual park passes, a week-long stay in the new cabins and even the opportunity to be “Parks Superintendent for the Day” at Cape Henlopen, including a behind-the-scenes tour with Director Bivens.

Contributions can be made to the campaign at www.Kickstarter.com until Wednesday, May 11 by searching “Cape Henlopen Camping Cabins.”

For more information about Delaware State Parks, the Kickstarter campaign or camping in the parks, please visit www.destateparks.com.

Media Contact: Caroline Foltz, Enterprise Development Coordinator, Delaware State Parks, 302-739-9185, Caroline.Foltz@delaware.gov

Vol. 46, No. 149

Fee-free day celebrates Delaware State Parks 65th Anniversary

DOVER – People will have a special opportunity June 5 to “Visit Delaware,” for Delaware State Parks’ “Free Day in the Park,” thanks to the Delaware Tourism Office – Visit Delaware. Every state park will be free to enter that day – excluding Fort Delaware, State Line Beach and the Brandywine Zoo.

“Delaware State Parks is celebrating their 65th Anniversary this year as well as being chosen as the recipient for the National Gold Medal Award from the National Recreation and Parks Association (NRPA). Visit Delaware has made it possible to waive entrance fees on June 5 – 6/5. This will be a wonderful opportunity to get folks out to experience our award-winning parks,” said Ray Bivens, Director of Parks & Recreation.

Park goers can enjoy beaches, rocky trails and everything in between throughout Delaware. For additional fees families can also experience things like zip-lining through the trees or horseback riding at Lums Pond, biking with the Rail Explorers on the Wilmington-Western Railroad through Auburn Heights and much more.

“The state parks system is a scenic and exciting way for visitors to discover what makes Delaware special,” said Delaware Tourism Director Linda Parkowski. “The parks are part of what drew a record 8 million people to the state in 2014. And Visit Delaware’s continued partnership with Delaware State Parks, through programs like the Delaware Outdoor Trail, helps keep that momentum going.”

More information on Delaware State Parks 65th Anniversary celebration and the “Free Day in the Park” presented by Visit Delaware can be found at www.destateparks.com/65years.

For more on Visit Delaware, including lists of things to do and ways to plan your next trip, go to VisitDelaware.com.

Media Contact: Caroline Foltz, Enterprise Development Coordinator, Delaware State Parks, 302-739-9185, Caroline.Foltz@delaware.gov

Vol. 46, No. 148