U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Paddlefish Poaching Investigation Yields Arrests
8 individuals from the Claremore, Oklahoma area recently were arrested on state and federal charges relating to illegal commercialization of paddlefish. The federal charges carry a maximum fine of $250,000 and/or 5 years imprisonment, plus confiscation of all equipment and property used when violating the federal law.
Oklahoma game wardens and federal agents with the U.S.F.W.S. and the U.S. Marshall Service served the arrest warrants April 11, 2001. Felony indictments returned by the Federal Grand Jury for the Northern District of Oklahoma were for: James Wever Sr., Lataunia Wever, James Wever Jr., and Misty D. Gilbert. Specific federal charges are conspiracy, aiding and abetting, and violations of the Lacey Act. The Lacey Act prohibits the transportation, selling, receiving, acquiring or purchasing any fish or wildlife species that are in violation of any law of any state.
State charges were filed against: Christy L. Wever, Jim N. McCollum, Michael Hansen and Jeremy Gilbert. All 8 individuals were arrested as the result of a joint investigation into illegal paddlefish egg commercialization in Oklahoma by the U.S.F.W.S. and the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation.
During the operation, wildlife law enforcement officers documented some 120 state wildlife violations, including snagging in a restricted area, abandoning paddlefish without proper disposal, and exceeding the limit of paddlefish. Game wardens also documented numerous federal wildlife violations over a four-month period in early 2000. Last May officials executed a search warrant on the Wever residence in the Claremore area, and as a result, seized a pickup truck, motorboat, fishing gear and paddlefish processing equipment.
"It is illegal in Oklahoma to sell paddlefish or their eggs," said Tom McKay, resident agent in charge for the U.S.F.W.S.. "Fines and penalties are especially significant when someone transports or sells fish or wildlife taken in violation of state law across state lines. This can result in felony charges which carry fines of up to $250,000 and up to 5 years in federal prison for each count."
Paddlefish, also known as "spoonbill" are one of the biggest freshwater fishes, attaining lengths of in excess of 6 feet and weights of in excess of 100 pounds. Paddlefish may spawn from early March to late June and do not reach sexual maturity until they are at least 8 to ten years old. Biologists have seen a decline in the paddlefish populations as a result of habitat loss and excessive commercial harvest for their eggs, which can be used to make caviar.
"Because of international restrictions on the commercial importation of caviar, extreme pressure has been placed on the paddlefish populations in the United States," McKay said. "One pound of processed paddlefish roe has a market value of $250 or more."
Anyone with information regarding illegal harvest of fish and wildlife is encouraged to call the Wildlife Department's Operation Game Thief Hotline at 1-800-522-8039. Callers can remain anonymous.
The U.S.F.W.S. is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The Service manages the 93-million-acre National Wildlife Refuge System which encompasses in excess of 530 National wildlife refuges, thousands of small wetlands and other special management areas. It also operates 66 Countrywide fish hatcheries, 64 fishery resource offices and 78 ecological services field stations. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid plan that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies.
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Reporters: An "online almanac" of refuge information for journalists and filmmakers, including public domain photos, the history of the system, a timeline of recent events, and a wide variety of background information, is accessible at http://refuges100.fws.gov.