Lesli Bales-Sherrod, a spokeswoman for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Office of Law Enforcement, said that poaching in 2009 was a $38.4 billion business where poachers regularly target rockfish, salmon, oysters, scallops, lobsters, endangered sea turtles and other species. He informed that the devices now being employed to stop them include infrared video cameras, Global Positioning System tracking devices and electronic fencing.
The authorities said that from January the Maryland Natural Resources Police has monitored the Chesapeake Bay region with four radar units and two infrared video cameras placed at confidential locations. George Johnson, the NRP superintendent colonel, said that the economic loss from poaching is difficult to calculate. Consumers can be affected in various ways.
In some cases, low-value fish is mislabeled and sold as high-value fish. Also, if fishers bring in more than their allowed amount, that can drive down the price for a species. Experts believe that without adequate enforcement, those willing to break the law not only potentially harm the resource, but also other hardworking fishermen who abide by the regulations needed to ensure the stocks are sustainable into the future.
As the technology for tracking becomes cheaper, it’s spreading. Because poachers can use radar to see police vessels coming, police are becoming more sophisticated in their enforcement approach. Johnson says that later this year, Maryland NRP will launch a feature called “geo-fencing” — the state will be able to draw electronic fences around oyster sanctuaries, which will trigger an alarm when vessels break the virtual barrier.
