Northwest Fishing Reports

Agencies raid suspected shellfish poachers
by GARY CHITTIM / KING 5 News

Posted on March 18, 2010 at 5:13 PM

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QUILCENE, Wash. - Two people were arrested Thursday in connection with a 13-month investigation into an alleged shellfish theft ring.

Investigators from several agencies teamed up to interview as many as 20 people with suspected ties to the operation, which reportedly involved thefts of oysters and clams from public and private tide lands in the the Quilcene, Dabob and north Hood Canal areas.

Enforcement officers from the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife say they seized 300 pounds of hard-shell clams, 100 pounds of oysters, along with boats and guns after serving a warrant at G & R Quality Seafood in Quilcene.

Investigators say the company also goes by the name of Quil Bay Seafood.

WDFW Enforcement Deputy Chief Mike Cenci says investigators from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, NOAA and the Coast Guard teamed up with his agency in the investigation into the theft of thousands of pounds of shellfish over the last several months.



Now thats TEAM WORK!

I saw that in the NWCN news one morning.I forgot how many illegal Goeducks the found them with but it was wow!! I sure hope that there is a prison time with a crime like this with a huge fine. I'm sure that it will be minimal at best.The game dept was great in catching these $%^#$@ I just hope the courts and lawyers dont make their (WDFW) efforts for nothing.I hope more then a $10.00 fine on next years licence.