Poachers busted! - California Fishing

FishSlayer · 12-09-2006, 12:18 PM

SACRAMENTO One by one they were busted at homes and businesses after state wardens began raiding homes in south Sacramento, finding dozens of bags of bait and other evidence suggesting a fish poaching operation.

“This is the tip of the iceberg, it is one of hundreds in the Sacramento area,” said Steve Stiehr of the California Department of Fish and Game.

Fourty-nine-year-old Ly Nguyen and his wife Cuc were arrested for allegedly poaching striper bass. Neighbors, especially those who love fishing, had been suspicious for months.

“You can't catch anything because people like this,” said neighbor Brian Thomas.

Officers say the Ngyuen's even rigged their boat to hide their illegal catch.

“There's a secret compartment where they've been taking these fish, then they drive up to parking lots and start selling the fish out of the backs of their trucks,” said Fish and Game Captain Pat Foy.

The Dept. of Fish and Game say this is a big business, with the poachers easily making about $2,000 a week, selling their illegal fish to stores like one in south Sacramento. Since striped bass was sold here with other types of fish, two managers have been arrested. They're among 12 people now facing felony charges in what could be a multi million dollar operation.

Officers say over-fishing is such a serious problem that levels of striped bass are now the lowest they have been in almost 50 years. They believe many of those arrested are involved in poaching sturgeon.

cashe · 12-09-2006, 12:48 PM

They will get a small fine and a slap on the wrist. Just like the Russian immigrants that poach sturgeon on the Sacramento River.

kayakfishermen · 12-09-2006, 05:04 PM

Yeah its unfortunate that we live in this liberal state where crap like this doesn't receive the punishment it should....

Homeslice · 12-09-2006, 06:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayakfishermen

Yeah its unfortunate that we live in this liberal state where crap like this doesn't receive the punishment it should....

Liberal nothing, the blades on both sides of the stick. Besides, harsher punishment wouldn't keep folks from poaching. Another oblivious idiot will take the place of another.

cashe · 12-09-2006, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeslice

Liberal nothing, the blades on both sides of the stick. Besides, harsher punishment wouldn't keep folks from poaching. Another oblivious idiot will take the place of another.

Yea, lets get serious, and make the punishment, and fines mean something. Let them clean out the outhouses without using gloves.

cst · 12-09-2006, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Homeslice

Liberal nothing, the blades on both sides of the stick. Besides, harsher punishment wouldn't keep folks from poaching. Another oblivious idiot will take the place of another.

yeah but since the punishment wont be harsh, the guy will poach again knowing that he can get away with very little consequence. but i agree, this doesnt have much to do with liberalism.

BeachBear · 12-09-2006, 08:04 PM

I agree that punishment won't be severe enough. The boat, gear, tackle, and anything else should be taken at the minimum as well as no license forever. The article called it a "multi million dollar operation", but no where near a million will be collected back.