Poaching is serious on the Oregon coast: Captain Dory loses the right to fish after numerous violations
Posted 8/5/22 8:05 PM PST
By the staff of the Oregon Coast Beach Connection
(Pacific City, Oregon) – Officials on the Oregon coast are serious about poaching when it comes to fishing in these waters. A recent case involving a Pacific City dory boat commercial fisherman illustrates why circumventing hunting and fishing laws is serious business, and that those laws are there for a reason.
In this case, Tillamook fisherman Charles “Joe” Evens violated the terms of his commercial fishing license when he was found to be breaking multiple laws at once by not reporting his catch, exceeding his quota and keeping the catch for himself instead of selling it. on the market.
These and other standards are part of the conditions of a commercial fishing license along Oregon’s coastal waters. Because of these violations, Evens lost all fishing licenses for five years, which includes the United States and not just the Oregon coast.
The Oregon State Police’s Fish & Wildlife (OSP) said laws are there to ensure anglers report their catches to fishmongers to maintain quotas – and quotas are there to maintain quotas. equity and for the survival of the stock and the industry.
Evens is considered a repeat offender, with similar skirmishes in 2018. These violations are serious, and so are the consequences, according to OSP F&W Lt. Ryan Howell.
“When an individual receives a hunting or angling license suspension, it’s usually for a fairly serious violation of fish and wildlife laws,” Howell said. “The OSP F&W Division takes any violation of the suspended license very seriously. If you know of anyone who continues to fish or hunt with a suspended license, we would appreciate the information and it could lead to a TIP reward.
The sentencing came on June 27, when Tillamook County officials issued $400 in fines, $300 of which goes to the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW) as restitution. . He was also sentenced to 80 hours of community service and five years probation. During this time, he is prohibited from fishing or helping other people to fish.
The license suspension falls within the parameters of the Violator Compact, a reciprocal agreement between most states. The Compact requires that if someone loses their hunting or fishing privileges in one state, they lose them in all states.
Oregon’s halibut fishery waters are under Oregon, Washington, and federal government oversight. In such circumstances, agency enforcement officers may team up to solve crimes. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the OSP F&W Division have resolved several cases cooperatively, according to Lt. Howell.
“NOAA is one of our partner agencies when it comes to enforcing our fisheries resources both on land and in the ocean,” Lt. Howell said. “We work very well with NOAA on state and federal fisheries enforcement.”
According to Lynn Mattes, ODFW Recreational Groundfish and Halibut Project Manager. If someone exceeds catch limits or catch limits, it steals opportunities from others and potentially endangers the health of the stock.
“If quotas are exceeded, it could lead to a decline in the stock, which would reduce fishing opportunities in the future,” Mattes said. “Pacific halibut is a very valuable fish and highly sought after by recreational and commercial anglers. Halibut catches are often limited to a single fish, to provide as many opportunities as possible while respecting quotas.
Evens has done it before when it comes to halibut fishing. He lost his recreational fishing license in 2018 after OSP F&W Troopers received a tip that someone operating a dory in the Cape Kiwanda area was catching and keeping halibut for himself and his passengers without reporting it. .
Soldiers began monitoring Evens’ 20ft dory, Wild Ride, and eventually asked to board his boat for an inspection. While inspecting, Troopers noticed three fuel canisters next to the engine. Two of the fuel canisters had hoses connected to the engine. A soldier bent down to lift the third box. The top of the box easily lifts off to reveal eight snowy white halibut fillets nestled in ice in a special hidden container.
In 2018, Evens received criminal citations for multiple offenses and did not contest two fish and wildlife misdemeanors. He was placed on probation for three years, received a 3-year angling license suspension, five days in jail, and was ordered to pay $500 in restitution to the ODFW.
Evens admitted his illegal activities and the charges were referred to the Tillamook County District Attorney’s Office. In June 2022, Evens pleaded guilty to one count of illegal commercial fishing activities.
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