COMMERCE
Subscriber Services
Classified Ads
Subscribe
Advertise
NEWS
This Month
Editorial
Letters
F/V Safety
Past Issues
ABOUT US
Contact Us
Latest Issue
Subscribe
History
MORE CONTENT
CFN Archives
Links
Each month exclusively in the PRINT edition of CFN
Along the Coast
Ask the Lobster Doc
Bearin’s
Classifieds
Coming Events
Editorial
Enforcement Report
FISH SAFE
Fleet Additions
Letters
Lobster Market Report
New Boats
News Catch
Quahog Market Report
|
Commercial Fisheries News
Volume 33 Number 8
April 2006
MLA picks Dan White as DMR’s marine patrol officer of the year
ROCKPORT, ME - For the 13th year in a row, the Maine Lobstermen’s Association (MLA) paid tribute to the state’s Bureau of Marine Patrol by honoring one of its top officers during the Maine Fishermen’s Forum closing banquet.
The Officer of the Year award went to Danny White, whose territory covers Damariscotta, Bremen, the Pemaquid Peninsula, and the coast north to Head of Tide in Alna. White has been a marine patrol officer for close to 10 years and, according to his supervisor, Sgt. Dale Sprowl, he is “very dedicated and committed to the lobster fishing community.”
MLA board members Steve Train and Bob Baines were both on hand to present the award on March 4.
Train said White has a reputation for aggressively pursuing violations and quickly responding to industry complaints, traits that fishermen genuinely appreciate.
“Rules work because the vast majority of lobstermen believe in them,” said Train. “Those who are law abiding need to see enforcement respond when they have concerns.”
And clearly Danny White responds. During 2005 alone, his enforcement actions led to roughly 134 violations, about 45 of which were lobster violations that resulted in summonses, warnings, or federal referrals. He was successful in putting a trap molesting case together that resulted in a court conviction and license suspension.
Train called this type of enforcement action “essential work” and noted that fishermen aren’t afraid to contact White because he listens to complaints and follows up on them.
Award appreciated
When asked by CFN if he was aware of his selection as officer of the year, White said, “I had no idea. I was pretty surprised.”
He thanked everyone involved in the process.
“It’s just great to be recognized for the work you do, and this is really nice because it comes from industry,” he said.
In particular, however, White wanted to thank his wife, Erica, who has stood by him despite the long hours, the nighttime phone calls, and all the difficulties involved with being a marine patrol officer.
“You can’t do this job without having someone behind you who supports you,” he said.
While much of White’s time is devoted to the enforcement of lobster regulations, he also puts in considerable hours monitoring other fisheries, including elvers, shrimp, urchins, scallops, and groundfish.
Plus, like lobsters, White’s shellfish actions also have been particularly noteworthy.
According to Sgt. Sprowl, “He had a very successful year in the apprehension of closed area shellfish harvesting.”
Janice M. Plante
back to story list
|
|
Tell us what you think.
