Using High-Tech to Catch Chespeake Poachers

There are a couple of articles on using high-tech electronics to protect marine resources.  One, in USA Today, deals with the problems of poaching, and the promise of high-tech toys to stop it on a nationwide basis.  In the Chesapeake Bay:

Since January, the Maryland Natural Resources Police has monitored the Chesapeake Bay region with four radar units and two infrared video cameras placed at confidential locations, says George Johnson, the NRP superintendent colonel...

...Johnson says that later this year, Maryland NRP will launch a feature called "geo-fencing" — the state will be able to draw electronic fences around oyster sanctuaries, which will trigger an alarm when vessels break the virtual barrier.

"This is like a force multiplier for us. It allows us to have more eyes on the water when we have less people on patrol," Johnson says..

Danny Webster of Deal Island, Md., who fishes for oysters, says he doesn't have a problem with surveillance measures. He says he hopes it stops people who are gaining an unfair advantage by raiding oyster sanctuaries.

"Most watermen are honest, and that will weed out the watermen who aren't. I say get rid of the bad apples and we'll get our respect back," Webster says.

The second story, in the Annapolis Capital, follows a MD DNR crew out on patrol at night, seeking oyster poachers.  They are notified that the high power radars have observed two boat entering oyster sanctuaries on the Eastern Shore.  The night goes largely uneventfully; they find no poachers at work, and in the end, run out of gas before making it back to the dock, and require a tow to get home.  A rather ignominious end to the whole affair.  I know DNR sometimes has trouble finding money for gas, but there's really no excuse leaving the dock without enough to complete you tour, or at least knowing when to turn back safely.  They even make high-tech gadgets to monitor your fuel flow so you can know to a pretty good point just how far you can go.