Over a two day period last week, Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP) working in Prince George's County charged five individuals from the area with allegedly poaching striped bass, also known as Rockfish.

On Friday (May 7) while on patrol in Ft. Washington Park, NRP. Cpl. Leonard Sciukas observed three men fishing in the Potomac River. A check of the men's catch revealed eight striped bass.

Charged with possession of striped bass in a closed season were: Jonathan J. Kenley, 34, and Deighten Ambris, 21, both Landover and Richard K. Valentine, 28, of Forestville. Kenley was issued a citation totaling $1,000 for possessing four fish, while Ambris and Valentine each received citations of $500 for possessing two fish each. The fish were found in plain view laying in the grass near the defendants.

The day before (May 6), NRP officers working in Piscataway Park near the National Colonial Farm issued two other citations on the same charges. David A. Cloutterduck, 39, of Fredericksburg, Va. and Athena K. Wilson, of Washington , D.C. were allegedly in possession of three Rockfish. Cloutterduck's fines total $500 for the two 18-inch fish he had, while Wilson's 20-inch fish resulted in a $250 penalty. According to investigation reports, attempts were made to conceal the fish from authorities.

The Potomac River's striped bass season north of the Gov. Harry Nice (U.S. Route 301) Bridge does not begin until July 1 and closes Dec. 31. The river is closed to striped bass fishing prior to that time to allow the sportfish species to spawn.

All the fish in these cases were seized and donated to a local Catholic Charities chapter.

Maryland's NRP, a unit of the Department of Natural Resources, is the only agency mandated by state law, specifically to enforce conservation and boating laws.