Oyster Violations in St. Mary’s, Somerset Counties

Two watermen were charged with illegal oyster harvesting in separate incidents in St. Mary’s and Somerset counties by Maryland Natural Resources Police officers.

Andrew Philip Nelson, 20, of Hollywood, was charged Monday with taking oysters from a portion of the St. Inigoes Creek that has been placed off-limits by the Maryland Department of the Environment because of pollution.

Officers on saturation patrol in St. Mary’s County saw Nelson hand tonging for oysters in the headwaters of the creek. They caught up with him after he finished and inspected his catch. Nelson was told he could not sell the oysters and officers seized 11 bushels and returned them to the same area where they were harvested.

Nelson is set to appear in St. Mary’s District Court on May 5. If found guilty, he could be fined as much as $1,000.
____________________

On March 16, Jerry Lloyd Bloodsworth, 44, of Dames Quarter, was charged with power dredging in the waters of Somerset County where that gear is not permitted.

Officers seized the oysters aboard and returned them to Monie Bay. The GPS coordinates were forwarded to the Department of Natural Resources hydrographic division, which determined the Bloodsworth was 2,807 feet inside the non-designated area.

Bloodsworth must appear in Somerset District Court on May 10. If found guilty, he faces a maximum jail time of one year and fine of up to $1,000.