Oakland crab poachers had hidden compartments

If they are not afraid to poach I bet they don't hesitate to steal from other people's pots when no one is around.  F*ckers probably cleaned my pots that I leave soaking more south of the harbor.

That's a whole lot of crabs. They got caught because they were going after commie pots and/or sport pots. People spotted them and called it in. It makes you wonder if they would still be doing this if they were pulling their own strings.

Since this was a misdemeanor, could not find a mugshot.   There's a lot of MF'ers in 510 named Minh Tran.  Wonder if its the same MF'er that ran Le Cheval before going BK?

http://www.eastbayexpress.com/oakland/a-new-lease-for-le-cheval/Content?oid=3144703

"But karma will get you. So said Tran's uncle Minh, who retired from the restaurant business at age 46 and now calls himself a hobbyist."  That would be crazy ironic, huh?

Pure speculation, but they definitely have crab on the menu, in two locations . . . .

Minh Tran, who has a record of infractions and misdemeanor convictions for state Fish and Game Code violations,

I wonder how much all the poaching is costing us in terms of biomass reduction, shorter seasons, smaller bag limits and increased regulations?

It is speculated that for abalone, poachers take at least the same amount of legally taken abs. I bet dungee poachers bring in tons.

Poachers are scumbags. They make it hard for us, and make it harder for the game wardens. I agree that a more severe punishment should be put in place, and perhaps something that would help the general population rather than just costing taxpayer more by putting them in jail.....
give the option of 2 years of weekly community service ( like beach cleanups, or filing paperwork for DFG) against 5 years in jail, and I bet they chose the community service.

I wonder how many times they got away with it.

The punishment didn't fit the crime. They should have figured in they got away with it 20 times. and charge 2x market price for each crab. The money should go to some kind of fish enhancement. Oh by the way the fine would be for each person so in this case it would be another 2x for the husband and wife team.

Minh Tran, who has a record of infractions and misdemeanor convictions for state Fish and Game Code violations,

Just goes to show the punishments are not nearly enough to deter poachers.
First time around should be stiff penalities and fines but he second time around should be YEARS in jail and HUMONGOUS fines.
I wonder how much all the poaching is costing us in terms of biomass reduction, shorter seasons, smaller bag limits and increased regulations?

Punishment should be also by intent.

I guess they're working on the" for richer or poorer"unbelievable they chop a Boston whaler for poaching so they have money

Yea their picture should be posted everywhere!!! At least they got jail time, fined (to low) and the boat burned  and I hope they never do it again. RIGHT!

Even better, they should be forced to sit at the launch at the port nearest the infraction with a sign that says "I AM A POACHER" for a few weekends. Talk about a deterrent for the guilty parties as well as anyone else who had the bright idea to commit a similar crime.