Alaska Wildlife Troopers in Juneau pulled and inspected 98 personal use Dungeness crab pots in the area of the North Douglas boat launch Friday and Saturday.
Troopers said in a dispatch a total of 42 crab pots were seized for various reasons including improper or no biodegradable escape mechanisms, small or improperly placed escape rings or improperly marked buoys.
Troopers said citations will be issued for the violations and the gear returned if the owners can be identified. If no owner is identified then the gear will be assumed to be abandoned and will be kept in storage for two years before being placed up for auction.
Regulations pertaining to the use of personal use shellfish gear can be found on pages 28 and 29 of the 2012 Southeast Alaska sport fishing regulations summary.
If you have questions about lost gear or the regulations pertaining to personal use fishing please contact the Alaska Wildlife Troopers in Juneau at 465-4000.
Comments (20)
Add commentOh Alaska!
The joy of living in the wildness!!!!
Good!
It's about time people that think they are above the rules get their stuff taken away and cited. Too many people think they won't get caught.
Why don't they focus...
...on crab pot thieves? Oh, because they are taking other people's pots, too!
Past encounters...
In the past I had these guys count the number of threads in my escape twine-- I believe I had 26 and was warned that it was close to the 32 allowed. Then they started looking around for any beer cans I didn't have. Plain and simple harassment! They should waste their time on the commercial fleet!!
Six-Pack
I hope they at least had the decency to leave a six-pack in the pots that weren't seized!
Snagger:
Same thing has happened to me. The first thing they ask is do you have a firearm? If so is it loaded? Second have you been drinking? I don’t drink when I’m on the boat; it’s just not worth it. Anyway I asked him if he had been drinking, he didn’t like that. So then the search was on. Found nothing wrong of course.
milspec and Snagger - Just guessing.....
That your attitudes were a contributing factor?
Look, they ask about firearms for their own protection. I would too. I've found that a pleasant, courteous response to whatever they want to know goes a long way. Being defensive or an a$$ is going to make things worse - that's not rocket science.
It seems simple enough to me to look up the rules, mark the bouys accordingly and set up the pots properly. The rules are there so everyone can catch crab for years to come. Folks who think they are above the rules their neighbors follow or that they deserve more crab than everyone else should be caught.
@snagger & Milspec
Are you guys saying you got boarded and searched for beer on your boats?!? I've never heard of that happening... How can that be legal?
Swimmer, I am a stickler when
Swimmer, I am a stickler when it comes to the rules. Also, I was just pointing out what they say or do when they first approach you. However I don’t like the fact that they assume you are drinking right off the bat. Another thing, I know all about boarding shipping vessels or small craft and the protocol that needs to be followed to protect yourself and others. I have had some very serious life threating experiences in the military.
BubbRubb, Not what I was saying, but now that you brought it up. I have had them go through my trash looking for empties, found nothing but soda cans or GatorAid bottles.
Alaska Wildlife Troopers,
Alaska Wildlife Troopers, please check pots out at Auke Bay
Odd that they chose the sunny
Odd that they chose the sunny days to go check the pots.
Snagger
They harass the commercial boats all the time...and when they get busted you are probably one of those that gleefully call them crooks! Just goes to show you that there are crooks on both sides of the aisle. Buck up, boy!
Don't Mind
I don't mind them checking pots,BUT...when they find nothing wrong and then dump them back in at where ever spot they've drifted to when their done...which in my case was 1/4- 1/2 mile from where they pulled them... thats BS...if yer gonna check sumones gear put it back where you found it
Happened to us, too, bob.
And who's to say they did't slip one out of the cookie jar? Who would know?
swimmergirl?
You must think boaters deserve to be asked if they have a gun why is that? Under your theory guide lines shouldn't people that get pulled over while driving automobiles also be asked that same question? Who else do you stereo type?
Milspec - point taken...
I'm guessing it's standard - since it's illegal to drive a boat under the influence, just like a car - and they ask you (at night anyway, or if they smell you) in a car if you've been drinking - - - I don't think they are "assuming" anything off the bat - just asking, getting a read on your response.
I usually say (depending on time of day, of course - and granted, I'm not usually the driver) "yes, we brought 4 beers with us for lunch and afternoon fishing, the bottles/empties are in the cooler" - - - done.
Onder - I've had a trooper ask me if I had a firearm in the car - I was just past the ferry terminal headed out (I got a speeding ticket). The trooper even knew me personally - and he asked anyway. Who knows why they ask - we often had a gun on the boat for when we went to the beach, as bear protection.
I think you guys are way too sensitive - if you react [filtered word] off or defensive or guilty, officers of all stripes (I'm guessing) are probably trained to take things to the next level. Chill, be friendly, and go on your merry way - like I do!
I was pulled over because of a burned out tail light.
The officer asked if I had any weapons in the car, I said "no sir, I don't". He left it at that. No problem. He gave me a fix it ticket, told me to drive careful and I was on my way. If you give attitude, you get attitude and if you give respect, you get respect. I have no problem if an officer asks if I have a weapon in the car because I understand that they have to assume everyone does and act accordingly, for their own safety.
pots
Great job troopers keep up the good work
Thanks Troopers
Kudos.
I have been pulled over and asked.
Do you have a gun?
Is it loaded?
Have you been drinking?
The answer was yes to all three but I had only one beer and the empty was in the trunk with the gun. No big deal.
For those of you worried about being asked questions by cops, you might want to check out Chris Rock's educational piece called "How to not get your ### kicked by the police."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uj0mtxXEGE8
It's a pile of laughs and useful information.
I have never had anything but
I have never had anything but positive interactions with JPD and the Alaska State Troopers. I have always found the officers of both agencies to be highly professional courteous individuals. I also feel good about having these people watching over the community.