Governor Martin O’Malley today signed into law legislation to protect Maryland’s fisheries and encourage shellfish aquaculture. The legislation, supported by scientists, watermen, fishing and environmental organizations, is designed to deter harmful fishing activity by increasing penalties for oyster, blue crab, and striped bass poachers; authorizing Natural Resources Police (NRP) officers to inspect commercial fishing business’s storage areas; and streamlining penalty imposition processes.
“Through this legislation, we are sending a strong message in the fight to protect some of our most valued natural resources,” said Governor O’Malley. “By expanding aquaculture opportunities we are taking an innovative approach towards reviving our native oyster population, while at the same time, protecting oysters and our other fragile resources by punishing those who would wantonly disregard the law.”
Senate Bill 159, sponsored by Senator Brian Frosh, and House Bill 273 require the revocation (through an administrative hearing) of an individual’s commercial fishing license within 60 days of oyster poaching violations.
“These bills will help Maryland’s premier fisheries and the folks who depend on them for their livelihoods. They’re a win for everyone—except poachers,” said Senator Frosh, a member of the Chesapeake Bay Commission.
Similarly, Senate Bill 635, sponsored by Senator Frosh and House Bill 1154, introduced by Delegate Jim Gilchrist, require the revocation of an individual’s commercial fishing license if they are found by an Administrative Law Judge to have knowingly committed an egregious or repeat violation against striped bass or blue crabs including: using illegal gear; harvesting during closed seasons; harvesting from a closed area; violating established harvest, catch or size limits; or violating tagging and reporting requirements.
Senate Bill 655, along with House Bill 1225, increase the penalty for engaging in commercial fishing with a suspended license, a revoked license or without a license, by establishing a fine of up to $25,000 and imprisonment for up to one year. A higher fine and possible imprisonment will deter future violations resulting from fishing on a suspended commercial license.
“To bring the Chesapeake Bay back to full health, we need to not only clean up the Bay, but ensure that the resources – shellfish and finfish – are not poached and overfished,” said Senator Paul G. Pinsky, the bill’s sponsor and member of the Senate Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Committee. “Breaking the law of the water harms the stock, the Bay itself and the people of Maryland. We must send a clear and strong message.”
This year, NRP seized 10,825 yards of illegal anchored gill net, with 32,204 pounds of striped bass retrieved from these nets. This was the largest illegal poach seized in Maryland in decades. As a response, the General Assembly passed House Bill 1252, which establishes a new misdeameanor charge for the unlawful capture of over $20,000 worth of striped bass (as determined by the proceeds of the unlawful capture). The charge carries a penalty of up to than two years imprisonment.
“Coastal Conservation Association Maryland believes this legislation will not only allow more effective law enforcement, but also act as a deterrent for habitual offenders that have become accustomed to a slap on the wrist for their crimes,” said Tony Friedrich, Executive Director of Coastal Conservation Association Maryland. “We would like to commend the Governor, the Department and leadership in the General Assembly for their support and advocacy for these bills. CCA Maryland feels the
