Natural Resources Police Charge Three For Striped Bass Possession During Closed Season

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NANTICOKE — Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) charged three recreational anglers Sunday for possessing striped bass in the Nanticoke River near Nanticoke.

Michael A. Nibblett, 33, of Delmar, Md., Jason W. Nibblett, 23, and Craig A. LeBarron, 23, both from Laurel, Del. were each issued citations for Taking Striped Bass During Closed Season. LeBarron was also arrested on outstanding warrants from NRP and the Salisbury City Police.

The anglers’ boat, a 19-foot Grady White, all fishing equipment and three female striped bass measuring 30 to 32 inches in length were seized as evidence. The fish were donated to a temporary housing shelter in Salisbury. The charges have a maximum fine of $500 per fish for first-time offenders. In addition, Natural Resources law allows an additional penalty of $1,500 per fish for first time offenders, for a violation concerning the taking of or creel limits for striped bass.

NRP reminds the public that the recreational striped bass spring season opens on Saturday, April 16 and runs through Sunday, May 15. The creel limit is one striped bass per person per day and a minimum size limit of 28 inches, no maximum. The location of the fishing area is the Chesapeake Bay from Brewerton Channel to the Maryland-Virginia Line. Excluding all bays, sounds, tributaries, creeks and rivers, except Tangier Sound and Pocomoke Sound. For more information on Maryland fishing regulations, visit the DNR Web site at http://dnr.maryland.gov/fisheries/regulations/regindex.html

The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) is an enforcement arm of the Department of Natural Resources. With an authorized strength of 285 officers and a dedicated staff of civilian and volunteer personnel, the Natural Resources Police provide a variety of services in addition to conservation and boating law enforcement duties throughout the State of Maryland. These services include homeland security, search and rescue, emergency medical services, education, information and communications services on a round the clock basis. NRP is the only police force aside from the Maryland State Police that has statewide jurisdiction.

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April 11, 2005

The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 446,000 acres of public lands and 18,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number one environmental priority. Learn more at www.dnr.maryland.gov