News From Terre Haute, Indiana

Local & Bistate

March 23, 2013

Wabash River commercial fisherman arrested

TERRE HAUTE — Indiana conservation officers completed an investigation on the Wabash River that resulted in the arrest of an Illinois man for engaging in illegal commercial fishing activity.

Illinois conservation police officers arrested Aaron Taylor, 34, at his home Thursday in Darwin, Ill., located on the Wabash River.

Taylor was taken to the Clark County, Ill. jail, where he is being held for unlawful sale of protected aquatic life, pending a bond hearing.  The arrest was made as part of a joint operation involving the Indiana Department of Natural Resources law enforcement division and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources office of law enforcement.

The investigation revealed that Taylor had been harvesting shovelnose sturgeon from the Wabash River and selling the sturgeon eggs for several years. Taylor did not possess a valid Illinois roe harvester permit. Also in the boat was Larry L. Bryan, 66, also of Darwin, Ill.  Bryan received several citations for boating violations and was released.

Female shovelnose sturgeon living in the Wabash River are targeted by commercial fisherman in both states for the eggs that they produce. Shovelnose sturgeon migrate upstream annually to spawn, or to lay their eggs. These eggs, referred to as roe, are eventually sold, processed and distributed as caviar.

A dedicated license to harvest shovelnose sturgeon using commercial fishing devices is required by both Indiana and Illinois. This license allows the license holder to harvest shovelnose sturgeon for the roe and to sell the roe to a licensed roe dealer. The established season for taking sturgeon with commercial fishing devices in both Indiana and Illinois is from Oct. 1 to May 31.

Taylor was charged in Illinois for unlawful sale of aquatic life (a Class 3 felony), punishable by two to five years  in jail and a $25,000 fine.

Additional misdemeanor charges include two counts of fishing without a valid commercial fishing license; two counts of taking shovelnose sturgeon without a roe harvesters permit; eight counts of failing to properly tag commercial fishing nets; 12 counts of unlawful sale of aquatic life; one count of unlawful possession of protected aquatic life; and one count of failure to maintain records of commercial catch. No additional charges were filed in Indiana.

Taylor’s commercial fishing nets, as well as the boat that Taylor and Bryan were using to transport the illegally taken fish, were seized by Illinois conservation police officers. The boat was owned by Bryan.

“The recent decline in shovelnose sturgeon numbers, combined with the increased demand for the shovelnose sturgeon roe in American, European and Asian markets, can place an additional strain on a fish that doesn’t produce as prolifically as others,” said Indiana Conservation Officer Thomas Lahay.

“Since we share the fisheries resources with the people of the state of Illinois, it only makes sense to ensure that our regulations and enforcement efforts remain similar,” Lahay said.

 

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Local & Bistate
Latest News
Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
TribStar.com Poll
AP Video
Looking for Love? Take the Prague Metro Moore, Okla. City of Reunions, Tears After Storm AP Photograher: 'It Was a Miracle' They Got Out Raw: Tearful Reunion After Okla. Tornado Raw: Crews Search for Survivors of Okla. Tornado Oklahoma: Images of Devastation, Reunion First Person: Baby Falcons on a New York Bridge Arias Tells Jury What She'd Do if She Gets Life Tim Cook Defends Apple's Tax Accounting Crews Race to Find Survivors of Okla. Twister Reunited Dad, Son: 'We Just Praise God' OKC Hospital Describes Treating Tornado Wounded Raw: Aerial View of Moore Tornado Damage Gov. Fallin: Okla. Facing Horrific Disaster Raw: Massive Funnel Clouds in Oklahoma Raw: Widespread Destruction in Moore, Okla. Raw: Aerials Show Path of Oklahoma Destruction Former IRS Chief: Can't Say How List Happened Obama Pledges Urgent Aid for Tornado Victims Families Begin Returning to Their Homes in Moore
NDN Video
Kate Middleton's Dress Flies Up VIRAL: Baby makes epic soccer goal The Hangover Baby All Grown Up Olivia Munn Flaunts Her Bikini Bod Britney Spears Under Fire Once Again For Being A Bad Mom Arias Tells Jury What She'd Do if She Gets Life The all-new Xbox One RAW: Massive tornado strikes Oklahoma Nidal Hasan paid $278K while awaiting trial VIDEO: Teacher reunites mother and son after tornado levels elementary school in Oklahoma City Okla. tornado survivor finds dog buried alive under rubble Jennifer Lawrence Gets Naked and Painted Blue as X-Men's Mystique Pickler's Dance Moves Cause A Stir Obama to tornado survivors: The country stands beside you Reporter Cries Over Devastation Sneak Peek: 'Modern Family' Says Good Bye Trailer: 'The Last Stand' Available on Blu-ray Disc, DVD, Digital Download IWitness Look at Moore, OK Tornado RAW: Moore, OK tornado touches down near school Robert Pattinson Moves Out
Parade
Magazine

Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.
  • -

     

    March 12, 2010

activity
Real Estate News