Jan 27, 2010 6:55 pm US/Eastern
Patrols Protecting Oyster Population From Poachers
ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, Md. (WJZ) ―
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With oysters in such fragile shape in the Chesapeake Bay, poaching is bringing stepped up law enforcement.
CBS
Oysters in the bay haven't had it easy. Poor water quality and disease are relatively new threats. Poaching is as old as boats.
But with oysters in such fragile shape,
Alex DeMetrick reports poaching is bringing stepped up law enforcement.
For watermen, seeing a Natural Resources police boat approach goes with the job.
It's no big deal unless you're doing wrong. Currently, the issue is protecting oysters. They're in short supply in the Chesapeake.
Because fewer oysters may lead to poaching, the state is stepping up enforcement and penalties.
Daylight patrols check for up-to-date licenses and legal oysters, three inches or larger. They're rules the vast majority of watermen follow.
"We're catching legal oysters, and they're catching illegal. It don't give them a chance to grow next year, or years to come, you know," said Calvin Matthews, waterman.
"It's like the bad apple that ruins the basket. I don't know, some guys are desperate I guess," said Robby Witt, waterman.
Even with the fastest of boats, there's no beating radios and cell phones, a poacher's best friend. It allows some of the guilty to get away.
Stops on Wednesday didn't yield any tips, but with oyster catches low, incentive is high.
The most serious poaching happens at night, and it is hardest to catch. Maryland is planning to install combination radar/camera units in oyster sanctuaries to combat this problem.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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