Charter captain convicted for high grading halibut

[jamesfromseattle]

https://wdfw.wa.gov/news/mar0519a/

I wanted to post this because I think public shaming is appropriate in this sort of situation.  I'm glad the customers reported this and the government prosecuted it. 

I also hope the customers who reported it get their bonus points reward, draw their tags, and shoot something big.

[jamesfromseattle]

Thanks for the post
 
You can also go to "modify post" and anti-autocorrect the title to captain

  Thanks

[bobcat]

No bonus points for reporting fishing violations.

[ctwiggs1]

Want to know how to get wildlife poachers convicted in Washington?  Send them on a fishing trip

[Snowgoose1]

Make them give up the commercial license.  Auction it and money goes to support more fish.

[Fl0und3rz]

After an eight-day trial in a Pacific County District Court room, David Gudgell 58, of Seaview was convicted of 10 counts of unlawful recreational fishing in the second degree, and one count of waste of fish and wildlife. His brother, Robert Gudgell, 57, of Longview was convicted of eight counts of unlawful recreational fishing in the second degree. Sentencing is scheduled for March 13.

Well done to the charter customers for reporting it.

[Stein]

I hope they took his boat, they absolutely would with a recreational guy that brazen.


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[Atroxus]

Make them give up the commercial license.  Auction it and money goes to support more fish.

I hope they took his boat, they absolutely would with a recreational guy that brazen.


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I can't wait to see what the sentence is. I am really hoping that they take the boat(s) used as well as license(s). I will not be surprised if they get off with a slap on the wrist though, such as fines that amount to less than what their illegal activities brought in for them.

[Stein]

At the end of the day, the truth is I am jealous of anyone that can limit on halibut, much less upgrade them.

He should be done fishing forever for killing that many more when they are so limited to begin with.


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[Whitpirate]

I hope they took his boat, they absolutely would with a recreational guy that brazen.


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With the latest federal ruling on excessive fines/fees I'd expect we'll see less seizures of boats/trucks etc....

[brew]

in the 18 months it took to "investigate" these crimes how many pounds of seafood that you and I have paid for with our taxes and buying licenses have been wasted ?  18 months !?  the court system needs to change in order to prosecute someone for committing A crime...not waiting a year and a half committing more crimes.  Same thing applies to people poaching wildlife...throw the dam book at them on the first offense rather than building a case for multiple years while they commit more offenses.  No i am not talking about someone self reporting they made a mistake and killed a doe when they thought it was a buck.  I'm talking about those individuals willfully making an effort to kill animals illegally

[Rainier10]

Unreal that someone who's livelihood depends on a sustainable resource would do this.

Glad they caught them and I hope they pull their license for a long time.

[Knocker of rocks]

in the 18 months it took to "investigate" these crimes how many pounds of seafood that you and I have paid for with our taxes and buying licenses have been wasted ?  18 months !?  the court system needs to change in order to prosecute someone for committing A crime...not waiting a year and a half committing more crimes.  Same thing applies to people poaching wildlife...throw the dam book at them on the first offense rather than building a case for multiple years

So a hasty charge that may result in an acquittal is preferred to a well researched charge that ends in a finding of guilt?

[Encore 280]

in the 18 months it took to "investigate" these crimes how many pounds of seafood that you and I have paid for with our taxes and buying licenses have been wasted ?  18 months !?  the court system needs to change in order to prosecute someone for committing A crime...not waiting a year and a half committing more crimes.  Same thing applies to people poaching wildlife...throw the dam book at them on the first offense rather than building a case for multiple years while they commit more offenses.  No i am not talking about someone self reporting they made a mistake and killed a doe when they thought it was a buck.  I'm talking about those individuals willfully making an effort to kill animals illegally

Did you read Operation Cody?