KPLU Local News
(2010-03-19)
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QUILCENE, WA
(N3) -
Washington Fish and Wildlife agents have shut down an alleged oyster and clam poaching operation on Hood Canal. Dozens of state and local police officers Thursday raided G&R Quality Seafood in Quilcene. Investigators say shellfish theft poses a public health risk. KPLU's Austin Jenkins has details.
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The raid follows a months-long undercover investigation. Washington fish and wildlife agents allege that employees of the seafood company stole thousands of pounds of oysters and clams from state and private beaches. Deputy Chief Mike Cenci of the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife says the thefts happened at low-tide in the dark of night.
Mike Cenci: "A large part of our investigation revolved around hiding in the bushes and watching individuals leaving port and going to harvest grounds and then coming back from those harvest grounds."
Cenci calls this a "large scale" shellfish poaching ring. Besides the impact on natural resources, he says shellfish theft can lead to people getting sick. That's because the stolen product is sold without a valid health certification. In this case, investigators confirmed there were no health advisories on the beaches where the alleged thefts took place. Authorities say G&R Quality Seafood sold to farmers markets in Western Washington as well as - they believe - to out-of-state buyers. I'm Austin Jenkins in Olympia. © Copyright 2012, N3
