Greg Sirpis Archives - Saving Seafood

October 31st, 2016 — The following was released by the Maine Department of Marine Resources:

An escalation of trap cutting incidents in recent weeks along the line that separates Maine’s lobster zones B and C has prompted a $15,000 reward from Operation Game Thief for information that will help Marine Patrol in its investigation.

“This has been going on since early summer but in recent weeks we have received numerous reports of traps being cut along the B/C line, and the possibility of these incidents continuing to escalate has prompted me to approve additional Marine Patrol assets including overtime and vessels to support investigations into these incidents,” said Maine Department of Marine Resources Commissioner Patrick Keliher.

“While these incidents are territorial disputes among a few harvesters, I will take whatever action is necessary to bring a stop to these violations, including closing the area associated with these incidents,” said Keliher. “I don’t want to take an action that could potentially penalize law abiding harvesters, but I am committed to preventing this from escalating even further.”

“This trap war is without a doubt the most costly loss of gear I have witnessed in my 32 year career with the Maine Marine Patrol,” stated Colonel Jon Cornish. “In this instance gear loss is estimated to far exceed $350,000 dollars. Trap molesting is a serious offence with the potential for multiple year license suspensions. We are working hard to investigate these incidents and are grateful for the support of the Operation Game Thief program.

Lobster Zone B extends from Schoodic Point to Newbury Neck while Zone C stretches from Newbury Neck to Cape Rosier.

“Maine’s lobster industry has a long-standing commitment to responsible harvesting practices and the marine resource laws that ensure opportunity for so many in Maine,” said Operation Game Thief Board Chairman Greg Sirpis. “So when the actions of a few threaten the livelihood of those fishing within the law, the OGT Board of Directors will step up. The Maine OGT Board of Directors hopes this significant reward will prompt someone to come forward with information that will bring these violators to justice.”

This investigation is on-going. Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-800-253-7887 (1-800-ALERT-US); out of state callers dial 1-207-287-6057. Information can also be provided through the OGT online Tip Reporting Form at http://www.maineogt.org/report.php. Information provided by phone or the Tip Reporting Form can be provided anonymously.

February 26, 2016 — The following was released by the Maine Department of Marine Resources:

Maine Operation Game Thief is offering a reward of $11,000 for information that helps authorities bring the person or people responsible for a major lobster trap molesting case near Jeffrey’s Ledge to justice.

A Maine Marine Patrol investigation, which began Monday, February 22, 2016, revealed that 200 lobster traps had been hauled by someone other than the license holders, the lobsters stolen, and the traps lowered to the bottom, some of which were not retrievable.

Jeffrey’s Ledge is located in the western Gulf of Maine located approximately 30 miles off the New Hampshire coast.

Maine Operation Game Thief (Maine OGT) is a private, non-profit organization that works with the Department of Marine Resources, Maine Marine Patrol, Department of Inland Fisheries & Wildlife, Maine Warden Service, and Wildlife Crime Stoppers to pay rewards to citizens who provide information that helps bring violators of Maine’s game and commercial fishing laws to justice.

“The OGT program is committed to helping maintain our state’s valuable game and commercial fishing resources,” said OGT Chairman Greg Sirpis. “Maine’s lobster industry works hard to protect and sustain this important resource and to have people undermine our state’s proud heritage of hard work and conservation is unacceptable and we will support efforts to bring whoever did this to justice,”

“This is an extremely serious violation involving multiple victims, and we would appreciate any help from the public,” said Marine Patrol Colonel Jon Cornish. “The money for this reward comes both from the Operation Game Thief program and from lobstermen committed to bringing this person or people to justice. I’m grateful for the support of OGT and these lobstermen and for their dedication to the work of the Maine Marine Patrol.”

People with information on this case are encouraged to contact Marine Patrol Sergeant Rob Beal by phone at 207-479-3931 or to call the Operation Game Thief hotline at 1-800-ALERT-US (1-800-253-7887).

MAINE: Operation Game Thief Offers $15,000 Reward for Information on Lobster Trap Cutting Incidents

Maine Operation Game Thief Offers $11,000 Reward for Information on Major Lobster Trap Molesting Case