Anglers Provide Gear to Battle Poachers

Annapolis, MD--Volunteers from Coastal Conservation Association Maryland (CCA MD) met with Natural Resources Police (NRP) officials today in Annapolis to make what has become its annual contribution to the agency charged with enforcing Maryland’s fish and game laws. CCA MD understands that its work to influence the regulations that govern our fisheries doesn’t end with its advocacy of scientific management.

“Without effective enforcement of the laws we work hard to change, our efforts risk being wasted,” said Ken Lewis, Past Chairman of CCA MD, “We will continue to support the dedicated officers of the Natural Resources Police.”

This year’s donation was presented to Colonel Mark S. Chaney, Superintendent of the NRP, and Corporal Ray Griggs by Diane Baynard, Ken Lewis, and John Roen at Annapolis’ city dock. The equipment, valued at over $3,000, included binoculars and spotting scopes for surveillance of expected poachers. Since March 2001, CCA MD has donated equipment worth over $16,000, including GPS chart plotters, communications equipment, and grapnel hooks. The grapnel hooks were used this winter during and after Maryland’s commercial gill net season for striped bass to locate over 60 unmarked, illegally set gill nets.

Upon receiving the donation, Col. Chaney said, “Today’s generous donation by CCA will certainly help the Maryland Natural Resources Police as we enforce conservation laws. Also, this equipment will aid us as we investigate other criminal activity and in our homeland security efforts.”