Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) has been investigating several Oyster violations as a result of increased enforcement efforts aimed at protecting Maryland’s native Chesapeake Bay oyster stock. The investigations resulted in the following charges:

On January 5, 2010, NRP stopped and inspected the vessel “Stephanie Marie” on St. Jerome’s Creek in Scotland, Md. and it contained small and unculled oysters. Thomas Edward Dean Jr., 36 of Scotland, Md., was charged with possession of 14 percent small and unculled oysters. He is set to appear April 9 in Maryland District Court in St. Mary’s County.  

On January 6, 2010, NRP inspected a truck that was transporting oysters in the area of Drayden, Maryland.  As a result of the stop, Steven Gary Adams of Drayden, Md. was charged with possessing 13 percent small and unculled oysters. He is set to appear April 9 in Maryland District Court in St. Mary’s County. 

On January 7, 2009, NRP stopped a commercial vessel in St. Mary’s River near Drayden and inspected the oysters on board the vessel.  As a result of the inspection, Robert Lee Copsy, 41 of Mechanicsville, Md. was charged with 14% small and unculled oysters.  A trial date of April 9, 2010 has been set Maryland District Court in St. Mary’s County.

On January 7, 2010 NRP charged a Dorchester County seafood dealer with possession of undersize oysters. NRP inspected a seafood truck in Wingate Marina and a random sample of the cargo revealed 9 percent undersize oysters.  Adrien Leo Hansen, 74, of Cambridge, Md. was charged with possession of undersize oysters.  Hansen is the owner of Hansen Seafood and was buying oysters from the commercial waterman.  He was fined $155 and is set to appear February 17 in Maryland District Court in Cambridge. 

These charges come on the heels of Governor Martin O’Malley’s announced proposal last month for a new management and restoration plan for oysters and the Maryland oyster industry.  The proposed plan will increase Maryland’s network of oyster sanctuaries, expand the leasing opportunities for oyster aquaculture, and maintain 167,720 acres of natural oyster habitat for a more targeted, sustainable, and scientifically-manages public oyster fishery.

A noteworthy part of this program is the launch of fresh enforcement initiatives and enhancements including the installation of a network of radar and camera units to assist the NRP in monitoring sensitive areas that are prone to poaching.