|
 November 2020
Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a website.
 Our FWC family suffered a great tragedy when three of our employees in the South Region were involved in a boating accident on Oct. 27. As a result of the accident, we lost a wonderful young colleague, Dana Katz. FWC employees Courtney Downs and Josh Beaulaurier were both transported to the hospital with serious injuries but have since been released. Please keep everyone affected by this accident in your thoughts and prayers.
Thank you to those who have reached out sending condolences and asking how you can help provide support to Courtney and Josh during their recovery. Your well-wishes and kind words will go a long way, sending an email or a card while they are at home recuperating would be greatly appreciated by both. For those of you that have asked to assist financially, whether that be to help with unplanned expenses or meal delivery services, here are their Venmo usernames and contact information.
Courtney Downs: Venmo, @Courtney-Downs83; email, Courtney.downs1983@icloud.com; address, 8975 S.E. 57th Drive, Okeechobee, FL 34974
Josh Beaulaurier: Venmo, @Josh-Beaulaurier; email, JBeaulaurier01@gmail.com; address: 2773 Windswept Drive, Apt 208, Lantana, FL 33462
To Honor Dana Katz’s memory, her family asked for donations in lieu of flowers. Memorial Contributions in Honor of Dana Katz: Pelican Harbor, Seabird Station, PelicanHarbor.org/donate; 305-762-7633
I also wanted to remind everyone about our Employee Assistance Program and of our Critical Incident resources that are available for staff to help work through the grieving process. I encourage you to reach out to your supervisor to help get you or other staff members connected to these resources.
During these trying times it is crucial that our FWC family comes together to support each other. I am proud and grateful to be a part of an agency with such a strong, caring group of individuals.
Eric
 The next Commission meeting will be Dec. 16-17. View details of the meeting and the agenda as they become available.
  We congratulate and salute the Division of Law Enforcement’s Class 40 who graduated Oct. 22 at the Florida Public Safety Institute. Welcome to the FWC!
 
 Thank you to all who joined us for our virtual MarineQuest 2020 event!
On Thursday, Oct. 15, we were live all day with over two dozen sessions featuring our scientists, sharing details about their research on fish, horseshoe crabs, manatees, turtles and much more. If you missed a session, recordings are available on our website. Please note that some recordings are taking additional processing time and will be posted at a later date.
On Saturday, Oct. 17, throughout the day we visited (virtually) with several of our research programs including right whales, sea turtles, corals, freshwater fish, panthers and more. Each group shared footage from the field and insight into their unique research projects on Florida's many ecosystems, fish and wildlife. All sessions are available on our website.
 A rare two-headed southern black racer was recently found at a residence in Palm Harbor. This phenomenon, termed bicephaly, is uncommon but happens during embryo development when two monozygotic twins failed to separate, leaving the heads conjoined onto a single body. Photos by Jonathan Mays.
|
|
|
Join Lt. George Wilson and Investigator Camille Soverel to learn about Operation Triple Play – a recent arrest of a transnational wildlife smuggling operation. FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement does fascinating work and this is a chance to learn the details of a recent investigation. There will be two Operation Triple Play Lunch ‘N Learns – one for staff LE and one for staff in all the other divisions and offices:
Monday, Nov. 23 (noon to 1 p.m. ET) for non-LE staff (Operational Triple Play Non-LE Registration)
Tuesday, Nov. 24, (noon to 1 p.m. ET) for LE staff (Operational Triple Play LE Registration)
You need to register on the appropriate registration link above – just choose NEW in the upper left corner and add your name. The registration list will be closed on Wednesday, Nov. 18. You will be forwarded a Microsoft Teams invite during the week of Nov. 16 if your name is on the registration list. See you at this exciting Lunch ‘N Learn!
|
|
New Record Python Captured
In October, members of our Python Action Team and the South Florida Water Management District’s Python Elimination program removed a record-breaking 18-foot 9-inch Burmese python.
“The removal of this behemoth Burmese python is a triumph for our native wildlife and habitats,” said FWC Commissioner Rodney Barreto. “It’s a great example of the partnership between the FWC and the South Florida Water Management District, working under the leadership of Gov. Ron DeSantis, toward our goal of removing these nonnative predators.”
Read the full story
 Monitors Removed in St. Pete
Our nonnative wildlife biologists, with help from Law Enforcement and local volunteers, have been successfully trapping and removing large nonnative lizards in the St. Pete area
In October, the team captured an Asian water monitor, a species not established in Florida that can grow up to 9 feet long! Through early detection and rapid response, this team is working to ensure that new species like this monitor do not become established in our state and that currently established species such as Argentine black and white tegus do not expand their range. They’re making a big difference for Florida’s native species!
If members of the public see a monitor or other nonnative species, they can help by reporting it online at IveGot1.org, using the free IveGot1 app or calling the Exotic Species Hotline at 888-Ive-Got1.
|
|
|
The Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida, Inc. is seeking nominations for the following awards. Please consider submitting a nomination. Thank you!
2020 Rodney Barreto FWC Employee of the Year Award
This award honors an FWC employee for their dedication and service to the protection and preservation of Florida's fish and wildlife resources over the course of the 2020 calendar year. The Foundation will present this award at an upcoming Commission Meeting. The award winner receives a $1,000 cash award.
2020 Louise Ireland Humphrey Award
Honoring former Commissioner Humphrey of the Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission, this award recognizes an FWC employee for their dedication and service to the protection and preservation of Florida's fish and wildlife resources over the course of their FWC career. Consider this a lifetime achievement award. The Foundation will present this award at an upcoming Commission Meeting. The award winner receives a $1,000 cash award and a life-sized bobwhite quail statue.
If you know a current FWC employee whose accomplishments are deserving of one of these awards, please submit a nomination in Word format to Tindl.Rainey@MyFWC.com. Be sure to include the name of the award and the name of your nominee in the subject heading. Nominations are due via email no later than Friday Nov. 13, 2020.
|
|
Currently, Florida is one of 24 states where chronic wasting disease, or CWD, has NOT been detected. The FWC is continuing its work in partnership with hunters to reduce the risk of CWD spreading into our state. Below is a new infographic to explain what CWD is. We’ve also recently produced a graphic to explain how CWD is transmitted.
This hunting season, hunters must continue to adhere to Executive order 19-41, which prohibits importing or possessing carcasses and parts thereof from deer, elk, moose, caribou and all other members of the deer family originating from any place outside of Florida with exceptions. This executive order was issued to reduce the risk of CWD being introduced into or spread throughout Florida. Learn more about the requirements and exceptions for importing deer carcasses.
The FWC is at the beginning stages of rule development for the 2021-22 hunting season including one, which if passed, would prohibit importing or possessing carcasses or certain carcass parts therefrom of all members of the deer family originating from outside of Florida with no exceptions. We hope you’ll join us in encouraging stakeholders to learn more about these draft rule changes and share their input as well as visit MyFWC.com/CWD for more information.
|
 Fellsmere Water Management Area in Indian River County is a 10,000-acre manmade lake adjacent to Stick Marsh/Farm 13. Recently, Headwaters Boat Ramp opened and has created freshwater fishing access for anglers. It has 36 parking spaces, overflow parking west of and adjacent to the paved lot, and restrooms. This waterbody is managed under statewide freshwater fishing regulations. Fisheries monitoring data indicates a very productive fishery, one that all anglers should be excited about! Biologists will be gathering stakeholder input from all anglers during creel and human dimensions surveys at the ramp, now through July 2021. Also, fish populations will continue to be monitored through electrofishing surveys.
 By Carol Lyn Parrish
South Florida’s Everglades is the largest wetland and subtropical wilderness in the United States and is an ecosystem of vast sawgrass prairies, upland tree islands and freshwater sloughs. These habitats support a great diversity of plants and wildlife found nowhere else. Together, the Everglades and Francis S. Taylor, Holey Land, and Rotenberger wildlife management areas make up the 736,881-acre Everglades Complex of WMAs. Across the ECWMA, FWC’s Wildlife and Habitat Management Section staff work to conserve and restore natural wildlife habitat for an array of endemic, imperiled and other native wildlife including the Florida panther, snail kite and wood stork, while also providing high-quality outdoor recreation opportunities for hunting, fishing, hiking, wildlife viewing and camping.
 Although the ECWMA is a freshwater marsh system, when the summer rains come to south Florida, too much water can be detrimental to the ecosystem and negatively affect wildlife and their habitats. For example, under normal conditions, Everglades deer spend most of their time browsing in the marsh. When water levels rise too high, deer and other terrestrial wildlife, such as bobcats, rabbits and raccoons, respond by moving to elevated locations, such as tree islands and levees. These sites provide forage and refuge. When deer are restricted to this higher ground, food is limited and usually less palatable or nutritious in comparison to their preferred foods of aquatic herbs like swamp lily, and stress levels are increased. Stressed wildlife can also be chased from levees and tree islands and are more likely to be involved in deer-vehicle collisions on levees.
 In an area as unique as the Everglades, you may wonder how staff gathers data needed to make decisions during high water events. Staff monitor wildlife and habitat conditions throughout high water events in a variety of ways, including levee spotlight surveys, water level monitoring, tree island browse surveys and camera trapping. On a recent night in September, I rode with Cory Gillis and Adam Eurbin on a survey in Rotenberger WMA. During our slow, dark drive along the levees, we used our spotlight to detect 15 deer, 29 rabbits, 26 raccoons, one opossum and one rat. On another night, I rode along with Colleen Closius and Ashley Jo Chattle for an Everglades WMA spotlight survey and we counted only one deer, with bad weather affecting our survey. We did see several native snakes, hatchling alligators in puddles on the levees, and both old and new panther and bobcat scat, indicating a variety of species utilizing the levee systems due to the high water levels. On another field day with Colleen, we took an airboat ride in Everglades WMA to monitor water levels, conduct tree island browse surveys and check camera trapping locations. Cameras are placed on some tree islands to document wildlife use of tree islands during high water events. As we walked across the tree islands, Colleen noted browse and forage levels on tree islands, types of food available and what was being consumed by the deer, as well as areas where deer and other terrestrial wildlife were bedding. Some of the plants that wildlife will eat include six-angle foldwing, rouge plant and Virginia saltmarsh mallow. Various wildlife can be observed during surveys: a group of deer resting together; a rabbit scurrying by; or a gator waiting patiently under water at an island’s edge. Staff search for wildlife and signs of wildlife, which can include game trails, tracks and scat.
 Staff conducts these surveys and compiles the related data and photos every week throughout a high water event. These surveys add a significant amount of time to our staff’s workload, but this important data helps us make the best decisions we can during high water events. FWC shares this information with our partners and uses it to make ecological recommendations to water management agencies. To reduce stress to wildlife during high water events, we restrict public access to much of the area, often cancelling scheduled hunts, but we still allow compatible uses like frogging and fishing in area canals. Some portions of the areas remain open to all normal use. The WHM staff also ensure that signage is posted around the ECWMA to inform the public about any closures. Public access restrictions help limit stress to already stressed wildlife and reduce deer-vehicle collisions during high water.
 When a closure is warranted, many other staff, from the Regional Director who issues the emergency closure order, to the Public Information Coordinator who issues the news release to media and the public, to the staff in Tallahassee who post notices on the website and help notify the public, all work together to open and close the affected areas and balance the expectations of the public.
 You can monitor opening and closings of FWC WMA’s by checking the FWC website: MyFWC.com/recreation/notices.
 FWRI biologists, law enforcement and partners recently responded to a beached dolphin at Bonita Beach. The 8-foot male dolphin was seen trying to strand when citizens at the scene remembered to call the experts for help. Upon arrival the dolphin was given a health assessment and was a candidate for rehabilitation but the animal unfortunately expired during transport.
Marine Mammal responders remind everyone to NEVER push a stranded marine mammal back out to sea! Almost all animals strand because they are ill or injured (just like this dolphin).
|
|
 What does it mean when FWC’s red tide status report says, “the red tide organism, Karenia brevis, was observed at background concentrations”?
Each gray dot on the map shows sampling results that indicate that a water sample was taken, analyzed under the microscope, and red tide was either not detected or cells were observed but at a concentration of 1,000 cells or less per liter – this is considered a background concentration. At this level, effects associated with red tide are not anticipated.
For the current red tide status, view our daily sample map: MyFWC.com/redtidestatus
 FWC’s Sawfish Research Program began in 2004. After 16 years of studying this species, researchers tagged the 591st and 592nd sawfish on Oct 16. While this may seem like a lot of sawfish, they still very much need our help! More details.
 The FWC, in partnership with Wildlife Forever, is eager to announce they will host the Florida State-Fish Art Contest. Students in kindergarten through twelfth grade can compete in this free contest for a chance to win state and national honours and prizes. This program inspires creativity while developing the next generation of anglers and conservationists.
Florida winners will be selected by the FWC in four grade categories, kindergarten through third grade, fourth through sixth grade, seventh through ninth grade and tenth through twelfth grade. State winners will advance to the National Competition to be judged for top prizes such as the Best of Show. The deadline to enter is March 31, 2021, so start designing today!
For contest information, entry forms and a Fish On! Lesson Plan, visit StateFishArt.org.
|
|
 Celebrating a New Benchmark
Our agency Facebook page @MyFWC has surpassed 250,000 followers! Have content ideas for any of our social media pages? Please contact your Division PIC or Alicia Wellman.
Find a full list of our social media accounts: MyFWC.com/news/social.
  New Gulf record lionfish
Increased king mackerel recreational bag limit in effect in Atlantic through March 16, 2021
FWC invites public comments for Division of Law Enforcement reaccreditation assessment
FWC uncovers a transnational wildlife trafficking operation in Florida
FWC recognizes Gadsden County landowner for wildlife conservation efforts
 MFM - Adapting to a New Normal
MFM’s Outreach and Education subsection is adapting to a new normal by creating a wide variety of virtual outreach experiences for Florida’s saltwater anglers. Staff have held and attended virtual events such as online trade shows, presentations to schools and organizations, educational seminars, and more. Learning a whole new suite of virtual platforms on the fly including Zoom, Google Hangouts, Pear Deck, Blackboard Collaborate, Adobe Connect, Microsoft Teams and others, they have also broadened their skill set to adapt many formally in-person activities to accommodate remote formats. To further broaden their reach in these changing times, the subsection is also hard at work developing additional virtual content such as interactive webinars, educational courses, lesson plans, partner materials, videos, webpages, publications and app improvements. Staff continues to administer the Catch a Florida Memory program to encourage anglers to get out for a fun day of socially distanced saltwater fishing and help support marine fisheries conservation. Despite the challenges faced due to COVID-19, DMFM’s Outreach and Education subsection continues to work to create stewards of our aquatic environment and spread awareness and understanding of the importance of conserving Florida’s valuable marine fisheries resources.
  Citizens and FWC customers were so impressed by the following employees, they told us about it through email on the "Praise an Employee" page of MyFWC.com/Contact. When your coworkers receive kudos, help share the good news by contacting Kelly.Broderick@MyFWC.com.
Tony Young (three commendations)
Mr. Young is a true professional. He took the time on the weekend to respond to my question about the new harvest reporting regulations. His email was very comprehensive and full of critical information. In addition to his email he took time to call me personally so that I would be crystal clear on the steps in the process with a new recording regulation. I truly appreciate the personal attention he provided me.
Mr. Young went above and beyond to assist me in regard to alligator hunting. This was my first season ever alligator hunting and I knew very little about the sport. Mr. Young answered every question professionally and in specific detail. He even went as far as assisting me in finding a good location to hunt within my selected area. Overall Mr. Young was an invaluable asset to my 2020 alligator season and I owe all of my success this year to his assistance.
I am brand new to hunting, which comes with a lot of uncertainty and questions. Not only did Tony take the time to answer my questions but went above and beyond to really teach me about hunting so that I can be successful when I head out. Thanks man!
    Congratulations to the following employees for reaching 5-year milestones of employment with the FWC.
|
|
|
35 Years
Brad Gruver, HSC
30 Years
John Conboy, LE
Michael Frantz, LE
Humberto Navarro, LE
Drew Nelson, LE
Jeffery Sidor, LE
Derek Tremain, FWRI
20 Years
Charles Crawford, FWRI
15 Years
Pam Boody, HSC
Tyson Milstead, LE
Grady Smith, OED
Mike Troelstrup, IG
10 Years
Craig Faulhaber, HSC
Susan Neel, CR
Matt Wegener, FWRI
5 Years
Christopher Anderson, FWRI
Kelly Barrett, LE
Jessica Crawford, Legislative Affairs
Jon Creamer, FBO
Melissa Garnett, FFM
Johanna Freeman, FWRI
Brianna Vernon, FFM
Retired!
David Pate, LE – 18 years, 8 months
John Strenth, LE – 20 years, 8 months
Joe Kelsch, LE – 24 years
Wash Wear, LE – 33 years, 4 months
Brad Gruver, HSC – 35 years
|
|
(The FWC has a great many non-FTE employees, and they deserve recognition for reaching 5-year milestones too. Unfortunately, the system doesn't keep track of such statistics; but we don't want that to stop us. If you know of a non-FTE employee about to reach a 5-year milestone, please notify the Inside Job by email.) |
|
|
FWC employees have some of the most interesting jobs ever! Here are some of our employees doing what they do best. Send your photos of FWC employees in the office and in the field to Kelly.Broderick@MyFWC.com.
|
CORRECTION!
We are sorry that we published incorrect information about Dave Sweetay title in the Employee Spotlight in October's Inside Job. Dave is a Fisheries and Wildlife Biological Scientist II, not a Technician.
 Officers Alex Piekenbrock and Adam Brown were patrolling Bahia Honda State Park and observed three subjects snorkeling under the bridge. After they saw the officers, the three dropped their dive/catch bag. After persuading one of the men to retrieve the dive/catch bag, officers found six speared lobster, five of which were undersize, one speared undersize mangrove snapper and one undersize great barracuda. Officer Brown cited them for 12 misdemeanors and gave them a warning for obstruction and the undersize barracuda. An NTA was issued because one man had his 12-year-old son in his custody.
 Southwest Region officers attended a “Coffee with a Cop” event along with multiple partner Law Enforcement agencies at Stingray Chevrolet in Plant City (Hillsborough County). The organizers of this event invited the community to have a cup of coffee and meet law enforcement officers from their community. This event was well received by the community and a great opportunity for area law enforcement to connect with residents.
 
 A visitor at Honeymoon Island State Park reported a possible sick or injured sea turtle at the state park. Southwest Region Officer Kyle Freda responded to the location and with the assistance of State Park Rangers, they were able to move the sea turtle to Officer Freda’s patrol vehicle and he transported it to Clearwater Marine Aquarium.
 
 In early October, Cory Gillis, Elena Suarez, Ashley Taylor, Colleen Closius, Jim Brannon and Rob Creswell worked together to install an entrance sign in Holey Land WMA.
  The Southwest Region Division of Law Enforcement assisted with vessel traffic and public safety during the Tampa Bay Lightning’s Stanley Cup Boat Parade that started at Marjorie Park and continued up the Hillsborough River in Hillsborough County. During this event the officers had the opportunity to ensure that the public remained safe, met Tampa Bay Lightning players, the Tampa Bay Lightning mascot ThunderBug and the Stanley Cup!
 
 Officers Austin Cobb and Brian Sapp received information regarding a possibly stolen outboard motor inside a sailboat moored in Key West Harbor. The officers gathered information from interviews, social media, MCSO, KWPD and from evidence from prior cases. Officers Cobb and Sapp composed a search warrant for the sailing vessel and owner believed to be holding the stolen outboard motor. The officers later executed the search warrant with the assistance of Officer Jason Richards, captain of the OPV vessel Trident. The search warrant was successful as the stolen motor was discovered inside the vessel. The motor was recovered and documented and then returned to its owner. The investigation is still ongoing, as the suspect is facing two counts of grand theft.
  Officers from Miami-Dade and Monroe counties participated in alligator handling classes at the Everglades Alligator Farm in Homestead. Fifteen officers and supervisors participated in the class including some recent academy graduates who did not receive the training while in Tallahassee. In addition to reviewing agency policy, a SNAP response agent attended to explain their role in crocodile and alligator calls for service. All attendees started by catching a 4-foot gator and then moved up to team capturing and controlling an 8 to 10 foot gator. Read more about this training.
 
 Scott Henderson and Mark Colding (technicians at FIsheating Creek WMA) in a debacle with an ATV boot.
 FWC Officers help rescue a key deer with a fishing hook in its mouth. This was on the local news station.
 Just another day on water patrol in the Keys for Officer Dylan Weichhan.
 Charlotte Harbor Aquatic Preserve staff partnered with FWC LE and the FWC Statewide Critical Wildlife Area coordinator to complete annual debris removal on a CWA island and another rookery island in Pine Island Sound Aquatic Preserve. Fishing line and marine debris were removed to prevent future nesting birds and their chicks from becoming entangled. CWAs are established by FWC to protect important wildlife areas and officers work hard educating the public about CWA designations and rules in addition to giving out warnings and citations to those who trespass within CWA boundaries. This is the second year that CHAP coordinated this activity with FWC staff and it provides a great opportunity for FWC LE to learn more about the wading and diving birds nesting on these islands that they spend their time protecting and enforcing. It is also a time for AP staff and LE to coordinate and discuss other issues and activities occurring with the aquatic preserves. Together, staff collected approximately 105 feet of fishing line and 60 pounds of debris from the two rookery islands. This past nesting season, these rookery islands alone supported 12 different wading and diving bird species, including five imperiled wading bird species and a total of 440 peak nests.
 
 Fort Myers office group workout with Officers Gabrielle Midolo and Wesley Furbay.
 On Oct. 27, Lt. Josh Peters was notified of multiple Area to be Avoided Violations of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Act by Steve Werndli, Enforcement and Emergency Response Coordinator for the FKNMS. The information provided documented multiple incursions inside the ATBA on Aug. 15, Aug. 31 and Sept. 2. The vessel Constance was previously cited on July 2 for prior ATBA Violations.
Werndli provided historical AIS (Automatic Identification System) tracking information and a historical AIS plot for the vessel Constance, a 60-meter vessel, which transited inside the Area to be Avoided by Vessels over 50 Meters. The data was from the U.S. DOT web-based maritime awareness tool called SEAVISION. AIS is required by SOLAS for all passenger ships irrespective of size.
Lt. Peters conducted a phone interview of the Constance’s captain, who confirmed he is the only captain that operates that vessel. He confirmed he was aboard and operating the vessel on the stated dates and stated he accepts responsibility for the violations and said he gets confused with all the lines on his chart plotter. Lt. Peters explained that the lines are easily readable on all NOAA Charts for the area and offered to further educate him on the boundary lines of the ATBA, which the captain refused.
The three incursions have been documented and will be forwarded to NOAA’s Office of Law Enforcement. Previous violations have resulted in civil penalties in excess of $7,500.
 Scott Henderson (senior technician for the South Region WMAs at Fisheating Creek WMA) reviewing a tractor manual (WMA technicians wear many hats, one of which is maintaining all of the WMA equipment).
 Brian Swimelar and Katelyn Horn holding the line on a prescribed burn at Spirit of the Wild WMA.
 Brian Swimelar and Katelyn Horn taking notes while scouting for potential crested caracara nesting habitat on a new 5,500-acre parcel recently added to Okaloacoochee Slough WMA.
 Katelyn Horn, Brian Swimelar, Eric Suarez and Andrew Myers practicing COVID-19 guidelines while working in the field (scouting for caracara).
 Spirit of the Wild WMA Bio III, Kim Chase, honing skills as she welds bars on a burn trailer to hold tanks and drop torches.
 Dylan West using WMA equipment getting ready to fill holes left after removing dead trees that were threatening powerlines and structures on Dinner Island Ranch WMA.
 David Harrawood (Dinner Island WMA F&W technician) using a drip torch to carry fire as part of a prescribed burn.
 On Oct 13, Lt. Roy Payne and Officer Scott Smith and Captain David Dipre were conducting marine fisheries inspections on the docks at Nichol’s Seafood fish house on Conch Key. As officers watched the vessel Life Force pull in and secure to the dock, one of three deckhands quickly exited the vessel and tried to leave the area. Capt. Dipre and Officer Smith intercepted the mate and informed him that he needed to remain with the vessel until the inspection was concluded. The mate got back on board and started to help the crew unload lobster traps. He was the only mate still wearing his slickers at this point and our officers observed him holding up his slickers and walking awkwardly while the leg bottoms of his slickers bulged. Capt. Dipre asked him what he had inside his slickers and the mate replied he had lobster tails on him. Lt..Payne lifted up the slicker pants legs and 16 wrung lobster tails fell onto the deck of the vessel. Officers placed the mate in handcuffs and read him his rights. The suspect said he was going to take the lobster home to eat that he stuffed the lobster tails down in his pants when his shipmates weren’t looking. Officers interviewed the vessel’s captain and he did not know or give permission for the lobster to be taken and wanted to press charges. The mate was arrested for petty theft, possession of 16 wrung lobster tails while upon the waters of the state and possession of one undersize lobster tail, and transported to the Monroe County Jail.
 Investigator Christopher Mattson received a tip about a possible violation involving a video posted to Facebook. The video showed an undersize nurse shark in a swimming pool. Further investigation of the Facebook profile revealed numerous resource violations including possession and harvest of goliath grouper, possession of undersize nurse shark, animal cruelty and six undersize spiny lobster. The man in the videos was positively identified during the investigation and, with help from the FWC intelligence team, the home in the video was identified as being in Marathon. Investigator Mattson drafted an arrest warrant, which was was signed by the SAO and judge. The judge set the bond at $18,100. Investigator Mattson called the defendant to inform him of the arrest warrant and the defendant subsequently turned himself into Plantation Key Jail.
  Matt Nasworth and Jason Crosby rescued three people near Torry Island in Lake Okeechobee. The victims’ airboat flipped one evening and they spent the night in the marsh of Lake Okeechobee waiting to be found. Two of the victims used their orange PFDs to attract the attention of Raul “Eagle Eyes” Perez and Lt. Christopher Simons while searching for them. One victim tried to walk back to the boat ramp during the night and ended up being found a mile or so away from the airboat. That victim was loaded onto PBFRs airboat and transported back to Torry Island boat ramp.
 
|
|
|
The Inside Job is a monthly newsletter featuring
the employees and programs of the FWC.
Send your submissions, comments and questions to Kelly.Broderick@MyFWC.com.
|
|
|
|
|
