Reward Offered to Catch California Trout Thieves
OutdoorHub 08.28.11
The Californians Turn In Poachers and Polluters program (CalTIP) will give up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of trout thieves. The thieves are responsible for stealing approximately 1,000 trout from the San Joaquin Hatchery last weekend. The toll-free, 24-hour CalTIP hotline is 888-334-2258. The value of the fish and the cost to repair the damage to the hatchery elevate the crime to a felony.
On Aug. 21, between 3 and 4 a.m., someone forced entry into the San Joaquin Trout Hatchery and stole up to 1,000 large trout. They also killed and left another 70 large trout in the process. The trout weighed three-to-four-pounds each and had been growing in the hatchery for three years. DFG wardens have collected evidence at the scene and hope to get additional information from anyone who may have seen someone trying to sell the trout.
Citizens are encouraged to be watchful for anyone attempting to sell trout on the street, outdoors markets, or markets where trout are not normally sold. Physical descriptions, vehicle license plate numbers, time, date and locations would be extremely helpful.
For details on the CalTIP program, please see www.dfg.ca.gov/enforcement/caltip.aspx.
