Game wardens also documented numerous federal wildlife violations over a four-month period in early 2000. Last May officials executed a search warrant on the Wever residence in the Claremore area, and as a result, seized a pickup truck, motorboat, fishing gear and paddlefish processing equipment. Fines and penalties are especially significant when someone transports or sells fish or wildlife taken in violation of state law across state lines. Paddlefish may spawn from early March to late June and do not reach sexual maturity until they are at least eight to 10 years old. Biologists have seen a decline in the paddlefish populations as a result of habitat loss and excessive commercial harvest for their eggs, which can be used to make caviar.
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The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is the principal Federal agency responsible for conserving, protecting and enhancing fish, wildlife and plants and their habitats for the continuing benefit of the American people. The agency enforces Federal wildlife laws, administers the Endangered Species Act, manages migratory bird populations, restores nationally significant fisheries, conserves and restores wildlife habitat such as wetlands, and helps foreign governments with their conservation efforts. It also oversees the Federal Aid program that distributes hundreds of millions of dollars in excise taxes on fishing and hunting equipment to state fish and wildlife agencies. The following is press release from U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. All images may be copyrighted by the stories source.