Lance Fridley faces new poaching charges in oyster sanctuary while court cases are pending for prior pirate poaching; Maryland officials simply look stupid and powerless to stop poaching

Outlaw Watermen Busted by DNR Cops; Pirates Allegedly Caught Red-handed Poaching Sanctuaries & Cheating on Rules

(Editor’s Note: A few outlaw Maryland watermen, who are in the distinct minority of those who work the water to make a living – have extensive criminal records and are seldom in thin ice when it comes to being prosecuted. This review of the records of four recently charged with violations of DNR rules and Maryland law are as follows: Explanations of some of the cases involving one waterman have been provided by Somerset County States Attorney Daniel Powell.)

Saturation patrols, surveillance and tips from the public led to oyster poaching charges being filed by Maryland Natural Resources Police officers against four Eastern Shore watermen over the holiday period.

Pirate Poachers of the Bay: Now a prosecutor takes a stand! See actual video of Pirate Poacher Booty!

Pirate Poachers of the Bay

Over the past year, THE CHESAPEAKE TODAY has been highlighting the arrests of outlaw watermen in the Maryland and Virginia waters of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries.

Readers who have been following these violations and the tracking of the court appearances have been learning that, for most cases, the legal repercussions of these infractions have been very minor or non-existent.