although oyster season closed march 31, poaching in maryland waters continues...as do the arrests. a waterman was charged april 28 with poaching oysters, nearly a month after the March 31 close of the maryland season.
ben harrison marshall, 34 of newcomb was charged by maryland natural resources police (nrp) with taking oysters during closed season and operating a power dredge in an area reserved for hand tongs.
marshall was observed by an nrp office on a commercial work boat power dredging for oysters in the ted avon river, near the bellevue public landing in talbot county. when marshall was questioned by the officer after coming to shore, he stated that he had been perch fishing, although no fish or fishing poles were found on the vessel. upon inspection, the officer found five and a half bushels of oysters hidden under clothing in the cabin of the boat.
marshall's charges carry a fine of $320 for operating a power dredge in an area reserved for handtongs and $125 for taking oysters for commercial purposes during closed season.that's a pretty light-weight fine: he is lucky!
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