The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) have investigated several reports of oyster poaching, which resulted in charges. On December 2, 2009 in Dorchester County, the NRP charged an individual with harvesting oysters within an oyster sanctuary. On November 24, 2009 … Continued
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Fisheries Service has proposed a new penalty system to deter natural resource violations, including commercial poaching. The new proposal will impose penalties on first time offenders, based on the severity of their crime, … Continued
The Virginia Marine Resources Commission will buy back 359 commercial crab licenses, in a historic action to take more than 75,000 crab pots off the water as part of a multi-year species rebuilding effort. The licenses will be retired permanently. … Continued
The 2009 Atlantic striped stock assessment update indicates that the resource remains in good condition with female spawning stock biomass (SSB) percent of the SSB target and 185 percent of the SSB threshold. Estimated fishing mortality rates (F) in 2008 … Continued
The ASMFC Atlantic Menhaden Management Board approved Addendum IV to Amendment 1 to the Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Menhaden. Addendum IV extends the Chesapeake Bay reduction fishery harvest cap, established through Addendum III, for an additional three years … Continued