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February 2021
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The Commission will meet virtually Feb. 25 and 26 beginning at 9 a.m. ET each day. The meeting will be held virtually due to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines. This meeting is being held by communications media technology, specifically using Adobe Connect with a telephone conference line for accepting public comments during the meeting. The Adobe Connect link for this meeting will be provided on MyFWC.com closer to the meeting date. Stakeholders may also choose to watch The Florida Channel broadcast at TheFloridaChannel.org. Those watching via the Florida Channel can utilize the telephone conference line to call in for public comment.
Volunteer Aliben Paz collects an adult red drum from hatchery brood stock ponds to be used for marine stock enhancement research.
Please enjoy the FWC’s Volunteer Annual Report. It celebrates the last 10 years of achievements as well as the many great volunteer driven projects that took place during the 2019-2020 fiscal year before COVID-19 impacted the agency’s overall volunteer effort. A print version of the report is on our Volunteer SharePoint site. We also have an ADA compliant version available on our FWC website. We encourage you to share this report with your colleagues, partners and volunteers. We are especially grateful to our staff who work with volunteers. We thank you for your support and we look forward to sharing your accomplishments in future reports.
Gag grouper (Mycteroperca microlepis) are an iconic Florida fish with a complex life strategy. Scientists from FWRI’s Movement Ecology and Reproductive Resilience Lab (MERR) have spent six years studying the processes driving low male abundance of gag in the Gulf of Mexico.
Since 2015, our MERR researchers have collaborated with recreational and commercial fishermen to find out:
- Estimates of fecundity-at-age (how many eggs are produced and how that changes with age).
- Spawning frequency.
- Sex ratio (how many males:females).
- Spatio-temporal patterns of sex change and sex ratio (how transition from female to male and sex ratios shift with space and time).
Full story: MyFWC.com/research/saltwater/fish/grouper/gulf-gag
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The January issue of FWRI's Field Notes is now available at FWCfieldnotes.com Learn how the International Space Station assists with research on Florida's Big Bend, the genetic threats to Florida mottled ducks, how the Age and Growth lab is adopting to a "lab-at-home" environment and more.
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Sixty-five North Atlantic right whales have been sighted from North Carolina to Florida so far this winter, including 13 newborn calves. The latest additions to the population are the calves of Catalog #3230 ‘Infinity’ and Catalog #3720. Both of these females are first-time mothers at 19 years old and 14 years old, respectively. FWC and Georgia DNR photos, permit #20556. https://bit.ly/2MvO8YH
A fun-filled family fishing day was provided to local FWC employees and their families in honor of the Florida Youth Conservation Center’s Network’s 10th birthday celebration. Despite near-freezing temperatures on Jan. 16, 26 folks from the Lakeland Regional Office and FWRI in St. Petersburg showed up. The Suncoast Youth Conservation Center hosted two birthday bashes, one for the public and one for FWC employees. These events had a limited number of attendees due to COVID-19 but this didn't limit the fun! Families enjoyed learning how to tie common fishing knots, how to properly measure fish, how to cast with an open reel and what tackle to use. Several families were able to use these skills to catch and safely release fish.
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MFM’s Outreach and Education subsection recently launched Virtual Saltwater Fishing Clinics for beginner anglers who want to learn how to saltwater fish and help conserve our marine resources for the future. And anglers have responded by quickly filling all the registration slots!
Fishing clinic sessions are designed to prepare new anglers for a day out on the water enjoying the amazing variety of saltwater fishing opportunities Florida has to offer. Sessions include topics on conservation, rods and reels, tackle, baits, rigs, knot tying, habitats, fish handling, best practices and additional resources.
Clinics are run in two formats – seven-week courses, each broken into seven 1-hour sessions, and 90-minute mini clinics offered once a month. Currently, registration for both the longer course and shorter mini clinics is full. Staff hope to add additional clinic events in the future and plan to post videos of the clinics online so beginner anglers can take the sessions on-demand at their own pace.
Contact Marine@MyFWC.com to learn more about Virtual Saltwater Fishing Clinics.
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In the fall, frosted flatwoods salamanders emerge from underground burrows and lay their eggs in carpets of low-lying vegetation in dry ponds. The eggs hatch in response to being inundated by rising water levels over the course of the winter. The aquatic larvae need 3-4 months in the pond environment before they transform into their land-dwelling form.
Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/ze6ODYJHz70
While the March 2021 Becoming an Outdoors-Woman event in West Palm Beach has been canceled, HGM is planning a virtual BOW event for late spring/early summer. Stay tuned for more information about this online opportunity to learn outdoor skills such as fishing, hunting, boating, wildlife discovery, and more. In addition, the next in-person BOW event will be hosted at the Ocala Conservation Center Oct. 1-3, 2021.
Histology is an important tool for looking at tissues at the cellular level. While histology is routinely used to look at human tissues, FWRI researchers also use histology to study pathological processes and abnormalities in marine animals. They can see parasites, bacteria and fungi, and document cellular changes that occur in response to these microscopic organisms. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3agqF5I
Our freshwater fisheries biologists were glad to see American shad coming into the St. Johns river during recently sampling. These fish make their spawning runs from the Atlantic and the St. Johns is the southern-most river they utilize for spawning. (upstream of Lake Monroe to past SR 528). Researchers start to see the fish trickle in around late December and the fishing should really heat up from now through at least the end of February. American Shad are a great fighting fish caught with jigs or flies, creating a unique opportunity for Floridians to get in on what’s thought of as a more “northern fishery.”
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Our new “Who Manages Invasive Aquatic Plants in Florida?” flyer is an exciting new communications tool designed to demonstrate the interagency partnerships that make aquatic plant management happen in Florida. The flyer is part of a larger effort on the part of the HSC, FFM, HGM and FWRI to improve communications on this complex topic. Learn more about these efforts and see more of this team’s work on our aquatic plant education webpage.
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Please help us get the word out about the following opportunities for young people to try hunting.
New hunts on the Youth Hunting Program Calendar
The FWC has new hunts for wild turkey, alligator, wild hog, deer, quail and python on the Youth Hunting Program calendar. These mentored hunts provide youth who have never hunted with opportunities to learn about conservation and gain new outdoor skills. Learn more about the FWC’s Youth Hunting Program.
Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day
The second Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day of the 2020-21 season is Saturday, Feb. 13. Youth 15 years old and younger are allowed to hunt waterfowl while supervised by a nonhunting adult. No license or permit is required of the youth or supervising adult. Learn more about FWC’s Youth Waterfowl Hunting Day.
Youth Turkey Hunt Weekends
The FWC offers two Youth Spring Turkey Hunt Weekends: Feb. 27-28, south of State Road 70, and March 13-14, north of State Road 70. These Saturday-Sunday hunts are available to youth 15 years old and younger and occur on many WMAs and lands outside of the WMA system. See a list of WMAs where a quota permit is not required during Youth Turkey Hunt Weekends.
Learn more about FWC’s special seasons, programs and events for youth hunters.
New informational sign at the 7th Avenue Fishing Pier in Pass-A-Grille near St. Pete.
MFM’s Gina Russo recently worked with NOAA Fisheries and other partners to design a new informational sign at the 7th Avenue Fishing Pier in Pass-A-Grille near St. Pete.
The sign provides information to the public about local fish species and how best to handle fish once hooked. It also has information about pelican and bird safety and how to keep protected species like dolphins, sea turtles, sawfish and manta rays safe. There is also a map of Shell Key Preserve encouraging visitor use in appropriate areas.
Every year, thousands of recreational anglers use the Pass-A-Grille sea wall and the area’s three fishing piers. Until now there were no educational displays near the piers to promote conservation. This new sign is large, standing 8.5 feet tall. It provides anglers and the public with an opportunity to learn more about marine life they might encounter and the best ways to protect a variety of species.
The 7th Avenue Fishing Pier in Pass-A-Grille near St. Pete.
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K9 Officer Diesel passed away unexpectedly, and he is already greatly missed. Diesel and his handler, Officer Delatorre, made an amazing team and worked many high-profile cases during his lifetime. In 2020 alone, this highly trained and skilled K9 located shell casings in a murder investigation and found evidence in a sea turtle egg poaching case, resulting in arrests. He was also featured in “Canine Courier” twice last year. Condolences to Officer Delatorre, the K9 Program and staff.
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The FY 20/21 FWRI Programs Document is available for viewing at FWCResearch.com. This website provides a comprehensive overview of our major programs and project highlights associated with monitoring and research activities of FWRI.
Viewers are also able to drill down into budget information and individual sections. There are links to over 100 publications authored by FWRI staff as well as comprehensive lists of our partners and grants. Don’t miss the field lab spotlight on Tequesta that is available in the science programs drop-down menu under the section “Office of the Director.” Finally, when you visit the “Connect” page you will see all the ways you can follow FWRI on social media.
We are proud to recognize FWRI's communications staff who do a tremendous job producing this summary: Carol Davis, Michelle Kerr, Jessica Pernell, Kelly Richmond and Jonathan Veach.
Happy reading and (as always) we welcome your feedback!
While 2020-2021 hunting seasons are winding down, spring wild turkey season is fast approaching. Below are links to resources that can help answer common stakeholder questions.
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Spring Turkey Hunting Guide - Summary of dates, regulations, and a list of WMAs that offer public hunting opportunities without a quota permit for eastern and Osceola subspecies
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Youth Wild Turkey Hunt Weekends - Summary of dates, regulations and a list of WMAs that offer public hunting opportunities without a quota permit during Youth Spring Turkey Hunt Weekends.
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Habitat Suitability and Wild Turkey Abundance Map - New mapping tool showing 1) the level of habitat quality – good, fair or poor – based on the location, amount and arrangement of key habitat needed throughout a wild turkey’s life cycle, and 2) predicted distribution of wild turkeys across Florida.
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How to Hunt Wild Turkeys – Information about what license and permits are required, where to hunt, what to wear, how to call wild turkeys, safety tips, and advice for creating healthy and delicious meals.
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Wild Turkey Hunting and Management – The “hub” for wild turkey management and hunting information.
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Duty Officers Devon Davis and Sandy Byrd helped get a Silver Alert victim back to his family on Christmas Eve night. Devon was working the Tampa talk group when Officer Resendez came on the scene of an accident at the Courtney Campbell Causeway. Shortly thereafter, Lt. Dallarosa arrived on the scene, at which point he requested the vehicle’s tag be queried. DO Davis got the registration response and realized the vehicle was associated with a person who was reported as a Silver Alert (a public notification about missing persons – especially senior citizens with Alzheimer's disease, dementia or other mental disabilities – in order to aid in locating them), which Lt. Dallarosa realized at almost the same time. DO Byrd notified the entering agency that FWC officers were in contact with the Silver Alert subject. Lt. Dallarosa was able to get in touch with the Silver Alert’s family, thus reuniting them.
Recent FWC news releases:
FWC: Bats in your building? Now’s the time to check Keep pets and backyard animals from becoming prey to coyotes FWC: Conservation Remains Priority in Governor’s Budget Lake Walk-In-Water conservation project complete Fish attractors deployed in Lake Apopka thanks to public-private partnership FWC charges 4 with illegal deer harvest in Walton County FWC partners with FOLA on inaugural Lake Apopka Fish Challenge Mark your calendars: 2021 Lionfish Festival May 15-16 in Destin; vendors and divers wanted
Officers from the Southwest Region attended Officer Specialist training on the topic of conflict wildlife with subject matter experts from the FWC and our partners at USDA. This three-day class included two days of teams presentations and one day of hands-on training at the Suncoast Youth Conservation Center. The hands-on training consisted of trapping training with USDA, hazing wildlife, python safe capture and depredation investigations.
2020 FWC Operation Dry Water Officer of the Year James Brodbeck
In 2012, James (JJ) Brodbeck began his career with the FWC as a Fisheries Biologist at the Tequesta Research Lab in Martin County. In 2016, he completed the FWC law enforcement academy and became an officer in the FWC South A Region, which encompasses seven counties. He is currently assigned to the FWC Jupiter Law Enforcement Office in Palm Beach County primarily as a Marine Enforcement Officer who has logged over 5412 hours of water patrol and more than 3292 boating safety hours. Officer Brodbeck is married and has two young daughters.
Officer Brodbeck has a passion for detecting and apprehending impaired operators on the water and the highways. He volunteered to be a part of the very successful Boating Under the Influence Task Force. The South Region A BUI task force was named the 2019 FWC Team of the year. During the 2020 Operation Dry Water weekend, Officer Brodbeck made two arrests for boating under the influence. This past year he has made 12 BUI arrests and 7 driving under the influence arrests. He has traveled throughout the state assisting USCG, Sheriff Offices and other FWC regions by providing his BUI expertise and experience with policing large-scale boating events.
Officer Brodbeck serves as an informal peer leader among his fellow officers. He is often contacted by other officers as a subject matter expert in saltwater species identification, boating/driving under the influence related questions and with boating regulations/laws.
Officer James Brodbeck is a very proactive officer who has the dedication and self-motivation to go above and beyond his normal duties and responsibilities. His consistent and high activity, the diversity of his resource and boating incident cases, along with his positive attitude set a great example for fellow officers. Officer Brodbeck was nominated for Operation Dry Water Officer of the Year. Although he did not win with NASBLA he was our ODW Officer.
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.
Entire staff The people who are looking into the writing on the manatee deserve praise. I was horrified seeing it in the paper. I had no idea that whoever did it can be prosecuted. Thank you making laws that protect our innocent animals.
SW Region LE Thank you for contributing to the Harry Chapin Food Bank. Your donation resulted in 152 pounds of food for our neighbors in Lee, Collier, Charlotte, Hendry and Glades counties and will help provide much-needed meals to hungry families, children and seniors. We received your donation on 1/8/2021.
Thank you for making a difference in someone’s life. You are helping your southwest Florida neighbors in need through a difficult time. Thank you for your generosity, caring and commitment to fighting hunger.
Ali Courtemanche, HSC I am writing to thank you for service rendered by your staff member Ali. She has gone above and beyond in her customer service. In a world of recorded messages, she answered every question. I had many questions and asked for her opinion on several subjects. She took time out of her busy schedule to stop and explain everything to me. I am a retired old man who has encountered many recorded messages, dropped calls, pass the buck folks and, in general, phone calls with people who had little real interest in helping. In my professional career I was the face of the company, the person who hired for the company. My point being is that having employees that honestly and personally want to serve, are to be acknowledged and appreciated. Ali is such a great employee, no not employee, but team member. As a taxpayer, she is exactly the kind of person that I want representing how my tax dollars are spent
Officer Tom Enos It was totally dark and I was loading all the stuff from my kayak into the car. Officer Enos stopped and just chatted, asked what kind of fish I was catching and if I kept anything. I said no and showed him my cooler. I didn't have any fish (95% of my fishing is catch-and-release with barbless hooks). The officer left it at that and told me to have a good night. I'm sending praise because the attitude and demeanor of this officer was positive and kind. I had a few bad experiences growing up with law enforcement so I get a little anxious when I'm around them. The officer who stopped me should be the standard for LEO. He treated me like a fellow citizen and didn't act like he was better or more powerful than me. I'm not sure how to describe this exactly but sometimes when I've run into law officers I've been totally innocent but the way they ask questions almost makes me feel like I'm guilty or like I'm hiding something. It was dark out and when he pulled up all I could see was headlights and he caught me a little off guard. I was out in that spot after dark because I knew there wouldn't be boats around and wanted to practice with the kayak in the dark in a place I know. He asked me if I had any questions for him before he left and I said no but later on realized there's a few questions I've been wanting to ask if I see an officer.
Barbara Glenn, LPO Mr. Sutton, I want to let you know how helpful Barbara in the Permitting Department has always been. She will always walk you through any problems you are having logging or any other general questions about the antlerless permits. Thanks again for having her as part of your team.
Becky Peters, HGM I am 76 years old and couldn’t get through to get a number to record my deer harvest. Miss Becky had a lot of patience with me getting, the numbers I needed. I am also hard of hearing - it sure took a lot of stress off me.
Tony Young, HGM (seven commendations) Called Mr. Young and he didn’t hesitate to answer any of my questions about duck hunting. Very respectful and awesome at his job. Helped me find a place to hunt without having to go all out the way to find one myself. Awesome customer service!
I am just getting back into hunting after a 40-year break. My sons completed the hunter safety training a year ago and we are learning how to hunt together. When I explained this to Mr. Young, he gladly shared his current insights about hunting in our area. When I noted that we are in a Spring Turkey Season quota hunt, Mr. Young sent me a how-to article and video of his, which were very helpful. Mr. Young is a great ambassador for the FWC organization.
Tony Young was really helpful in pointing me in the right direction for planning my first trip for an Osceola turkey. From all the permits to areas of the state to hunt. I really appreciate it.
I’m from Arkansas, I called and talked to Mr. Young about turkey hunting Florida. He gave me good information about areas to look and we had a good conversation, very courteous.
Tony was extremely informative in all aspects of turkey hunting and very open to answering every question I could think to throw at him.
Everything bit of information Mr. Tony Young provided to me was spectacular. He is very knowledgeable about hunting regulations and different species of wildlife. Information I had no clue about that will help me have more opportunities to harvest wildlife. Also the videos that were placed on social media by Mr. Young also helped before the call was made. I want to praise and thank the FWC for having someone like Mr. Young aboard.
First let me say that I think Florida does a great job, well above many other states in the country in terms of making hunting opportunities available, easy website navigation with lots of information and support from individuals directly when you call the help line. I am an out-of-state turkey hunter. By the time I buy flights and hotels, meals and expenses, hunting licenses and permits, the vacation can easily cost around $2.5K. Therefore, if I am investing that kind of time and money, I want to make sure I have all the necessary information to plan accordingly. I have called FWC Agent Help Desk, OLP. They give it a good effort for sure while trying to answer my questions. Invariably though, I have been passed along to Tony as the authority. A sampling of my questions: Can you put me in touch with a wild turkey biologist? Do nonresidents get equal opportunity in the quota random lottery, as opposed to special opportunity hunts where nonresidents <=10%? General recommendations on what WMA's would be best to focus on given the region of the state I will be in during my vacation days? Cost planning and advice on annual WMA permits, licensing, turkey permit costs and setting the right dates for those to maximize opportunities, etc. While your website is great, I don't think the answers to all of these questions are there which is why I reach out to Tony. He always has the right answer and he has it fast. Tony gets back to my emails quickly. The buck stops with Tony. Of all the people I have spoken to within FWC he stands head and shoulders above all. You are lucky to have him. Thanks.
Congratulations to the following employees for reaching 5-year milestones of employment with the FWC.
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25 Years
Christopher Anderson, FWRI Hugh McArthur, HSC
20 Years
Steve Geiger, FWRI Lora Silvanima, SI David Straub, LE
15 Years
Scott Ancowitz, LE David Barrett, LE James Barrow, LE Clinton Bean, LE Adam Brown, LE Doyle Cook, LE Deborah Furrow, LE Anne Glick, HSC Blake Hoelscher, LE Joseph Johnston, LE Demian McColgin, LE Lindsay McDonald, LE Daniel Miranda, LE Todd Nichols, LE Robert O'Horo, LE Richard Ornold, LE Jason Rafter, LE Nicholas Ridgway, LE Leslie Sharp, LE Raymond Woolrich, LE
10 Years
Dodd Bulger, LE Jarrod Molnar, LE Brie Ochoa, HSC Anthony Pinzino, Legal Carol Shearer, LE
5 Years
Debi Anderson, FBO Robert Ellis, FWRI Pamela Gruver, MFM Lola Radcliffe, FWRI Annie Roddenberry, HSC Mackenzie Sconyers, HSC (January) Ashley Strickland, LE Matt Vance, HSC Yvonne Veety, SW Region
Retired!
Jeff Gore, FWRI – 35 Years Jeff Gouveia, LE – 32 Years Richard Mospens, HSC – 24 years
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(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.) |
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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.
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Southwest Region officers and biologists, along with partner agencies (USCG and NOAA), attended a meeting with commercial fishermen to speak with them about issues and concerns, as well as ways that Charter Captains can assist the FWC in reporting potential violations.
Southwest Region’s dive team assisted with the Epiphany event in Tarpon Springs on Jan. 6. The dive team ensured participant safety while in the water and a security vessel for the event. The Epiphany event is a long-standing tradition in Tarpon Springs that dates back over 100 years. Team photo left to right: Richard Klobuchar, Stuart Spoede, Kelsey Grenz, Forest Rothchild, Joel Buckson, Aaron Gonzales and Jason Cooke
Officers Klobuchar and Davidson at Perico Bay Club and Neal Preserve worked a case involving duck hunters shooting after hours. One criminal citation was issued and the ducks were confiscated and donated to Wildlife Inc. for feeding their rehabilitated wildlife.
Annette Detzel and PIO Brown organized and collected food donations from Fort Myers officers and staff during the month of December. These donations, a total of 152 pounds of food, were presented to the Harry Chapin Food bank to assist in restocking their supplies after the Christmas season.
Lt. Rob Gerkin (Audubon Society’s Law Enforcement Officer of the Year 2020) rescues a brown pelican that had been hooked on the Sunshine Skyway Fishing Pier.
SW Dive Team members pose for a picture prior to participating in Force Blue’s Dive 55 marine debris clean-up event off Bradenton Beach.
Dive Team member Officer Rick Klobuchar showing off his pet caterpillar.
Lt. George McCorkle, former Superbowl winning Bucs kicker Martine Grammatica, Capt. Guy Carpenter, Dive Team Leader Lt. Stuart Spoede and PIO Adam Brown during the Dive 55 event in Bradenton.
Aerial shots of our SW Dive Team assisting with marine debris clean-up.
Members of FWC and Force Blue showing off the over 1,000 pounds of marine trash and derelict fishing gear removed from Spanish Rocks reef in Bradenton during this Dive 55 event. Great work by all!
FWC Officers working a booth at the Naples Boat Show. Left to right: Peter Knutson, Thomas Georgevich, Tajahs Jackson and Paige Pestka.
Monroe County Sheriff’s Office Detectives were outside an RV in Key Largo attempting to make contact with a burglary suspect when a signal gunshot rang out. A bullet from inside the RV came through a window without hitting any deputies. Multiple agencies responded to the barricaded subject call including FWC, FHP, USBP and fire rescue. Lt. Hein was in the command post as Investigator Mattson and Officers Dube, Hoppe, McKay and Thompson were on the inner perimeter before later being relieved by responding deputies. They then conducted outer perimeter security and traffic assistance. After a few hours of not being able to make contact with the subject through a negotiator and no response after deploying chemical agents, forced entry was made by the SWAT team where the subject was found deceased from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Pictured are PIO Officer Bobby Dube and Zach Hoppe.
On Jan. 8, Lt. Hein was on land patrol in Islamorada when he was notified of a possible area to be avoided violation in the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Lt. Hein monitored the vessel for approximately four hours before launching a patrol vessel and responding. Lt. Hein went approximately 8 miles offshore and identified a 183-foot superyacht named “My Surpina” traversing within the ATBA. The captain of the vessel was issued a federal citation and directed to exit the ATBA.
Officers Courtney Carroll and Billy Thompson spent the afternoon educating the public about the importance of boating safety and resource protection. The officers worked alongside MCSO and fire rescue and displayed one of the patrol vessels used in our everyday activities.
Officer Thompson along with MCSO Detectives and MCSO Captain.
Officer Carroll passing out brochures and educational information about boating safety.
Officer Billy Thompson on Water Patrol issuing a warning.
Captain David Dipre gets his COVID-19 Vaccine at Mariners Hospital in Tavernier.
Royce Avery Washington, son of Gabrielle and PIO Ronald Washington, was born on Jan. 20 at 3:14 am at Broward Health medical center.
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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.
Deadline for the next issue is Monday, March 1.
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