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 The FWC Employee eNewsletter
September 2021
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 The FWC’s TrophyCatch program recently announced a new milestone, surpassing 100 approved Hall of Fame catches weighing 13 pounds or more. These bass are the biggest of the big — true Florida giants. Florida largemouth bass grow larger than northern largemouth bass found in the rest of the country. Many state records outside Florida are bass that have stocked Florida largemouth bass genes.
 “TrophyCatch is a vital program in which FWC biologists receive valuable data from anglers. This information will continue playing a crucial role in management decisions,” said FWC Commissioner Gary Lester. “Coming up on 10 seasons of TrophyCatch results continues to demonstrate that Florida is where it’s at when you’re talking year-round fishing for Florida’s lunker bass.”
 To celebrate this incredible achievement, Hall of Fame anglers were asked to participate in a survey to gather some unique information about pursuing and catching Florida’s very largest bass. In addition to the survey results, FWC biologists analyzed data from the nine seasons of HOF bass entries. The combined results are sure to capture the attention of bass anglers everywhere.
 While HOF catches were submitted from 23 counties across Florida, anglers in pursuit of the next HOF entry may do well by scouting waterbodies in the north-central part of the state. Clay and Putnam counties led the way, accounting for about 30% of HOF catches. To read more survey results and facts about HOF bass, visit the TrophyCatch Hall of Fame 100 web page.
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 It takes a village to put on a Redfish Summit, and this village of superstars included staff from the MFM, HSC, FWRI and CRO within the Office of the Executive Director. This well planned and equally well executed Summit ran smooth as silk and the general feedback from the attendant public was of thankful appreciation for the information provided and input taken by the Commission. The topics ran from redfish population management to habitat restoration and monitoring, and the water quality affecting regional populations. The emcee (read: Master Facilitator) Stuart Cumberbatch expertly guided the meeting and oversaw the team of skilled facilitators running multiple breakout sessions. Commissioner Mike Sole attended and asked a number of challenging questions but staff were up to the task and provided detailed responses. It was a pleasure to work with such a dedicated team and the partners they assembled as part of this public engagement effort. Kudos to the team who, one and all, went above and beyond the call of duty to ensure this Summit was a ringing success!
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The FWC has introduced a video outlining new rules to protect Florida deer populations by reducing the risk of chronic wasting disease from spreading into the state. CWD, which has not been detected in Florida, is a contagious disease of the brain and central nervous system that is always fatal to members of the deer family.
The new 3.5-minute video uses animation to create awareness for hunters who have harvested deer, elk, moose, caribou and other members of the deer family out of state about what they can and cannot bring back to Florida. A Wildlife Alert grant funded video production and a Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida Deer Tag grant supported the distribution of the video and other messaging related to these rule changes.
CWD has been detected in 26 states and three Canadian provinces. Transporting deer, elk, moose and caribou carcasses with CWD is believed to be one of the primary ways the disease is spread over long distances. Learn more at MyFWC.com/CWD.
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  Last month, 9,600 cubic yards of “cultch” material (discarded oyster shell, fossilized shell or crushed rock) was placed in Apalachicola Bay, where in 2012 the oyster fishery was declared a Federal Fisheries Disaster. Populations continued to decline and in 2020 FWC closed the wild oyster fishery for five years.
Loss of suitable habitat is a major factor in the decline. Oysters require hard substrate to attach and grow and if there aren’t enough older oysters to provide substrate, restoration managers must add cultch to provide habitat for young oysters. FWC has funding for a larger cultching effort to begin in 2022, with hopes these restoration efforts will allow for the return of wild caught oysters in this historic bay.
For more photos and video: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmWv73iK
 
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 Pigeon Key is an island in the Florida Keys that was hit hard during Hurricane Irma, losing many of its mangrove trees. The outdoor clothing company, MANG, generously sponsored this event through their Buy One. Plant One. initiative - planting over 350,000 mangroves since 2015! Volunteers from FWC’s South Florida Regional Lab, National Park Service, Coral Restoration Foundation, National Audubon Society, Surfrider Foundation, Pigeon Key and Marine Science Center all showed up to help plant.
Good work, everyone!
 
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 FWC’s marine mammal rescue team, with help from Jacksonville Sheriff's Office, Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens and Jacksonville Fire Rescue Department, conducted a rescue in the Ortega River of a distressed 1,328-pound female manatee with buoyancy issues resulting from a recent boat strike. The nearly 11-foot manatee was taken to Jacksonville Zoo's critical care center where, after an initial exam and treatment by vet staff, she immediately started eating water plants and romaine lettuce once in her rehabilitation pool.
Go slow, look out below!
 
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 For Colorado native and FWRI coral scientist Ananda Ellis, it was zoos and aquariums, such as the Denver Butterfly Pavilion, that sparked her interest in science and the natural world. Ananda recently went back to her home state to visit rescued corals from Florida’s Coral Reef that are being held at the Butterfly Pavilion – the place that started her journey to becoming a scientist! The Butterfly Pavilion received 21 rescued corals last year collected by Ananda, her FWC Coral Rescue Team members and partners as part of the Florida Coral Rescue Project. Corals in danger of becoming infected with stony coral tissue loss disease were moved off wild reefs into approved facilities around the country like the Butterfly Pavilion. There they are kept safe and used in captive breeding programs in an effort to restore our reefs after the disease subsides.
Site visits are an important part of the rescue process to make sure the corals are happy and healthy in their new homes. We are glad to report that all rescue corals at the Butterfly Pavilion are doing well! Interested in visiting them yourself? Learn more about their corals and how to visit them.
 
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 Rescued!
 L-R Officers Daniel Jones and Ryan Livingston
Officers Daniel Jones and Ryan Livingston responded to a report of a missing diver near Calda Channel in Key West. The diver was on a dive tank and went under at approximately 4:15 p.m. His wife became concerned when they could not locate him and called in the report at approximately 7:10 p.m. The officers arrived at the vessel at 7:50 p.m. and the sun was setting at 8:02 p.m. There were several storm clouds moving in, and rain and lightning were in the distance. The wind had picked up and there were some bigger swells sweeping through. The officers spoke with the diver’s wife and son to gathermore information. The U.S. Coast Guard had a marine unit already on scene and had started a grid search pattern. Their air unit was flying around the location as well.
The FWC officers were heading to the Coast Guard’s vessel when the wife of the diver started blowing her air horn and pointing to the northeast. Officer Livingston took the wheel while Officer Jones grabbed binoculars and scanned the water. They spotted the diver about 200 yards away from their position. They pulled up next to the diver, who was treading water with all of his gear, looking exhausted. The officers got the diver's gear on board, and then finally, got him on the boat. He had been treading water with all of his gear for around 45 minutes.
By the time the officers returned him to his vessel, it was just about too dark to see. Rain started coming down really hard and fast, and it was even coming in sideways. The officers lead the diver and his family back through Calda Channel, a narrow and serpentine-like channel, with their blue lights guiding the way.
 FWC temporarily prohibits take of freshwater softshell turtles and yellow-bellied sliders
Learn through new Gone Fishin’ saltwater digital interactive games
Apply now for FWC’s 2021-2022 High School Fishing Program curriculum and grant funding
Sea turtles are hatching on Florida beaches; keep them safe with these tips from FWC
FWC seeking feedback on proposed changes to diamondback terrapin rules
Tampa Bay snook, redfish and spotted seatrout catch-and-release measures extended
MFM federal fisheries management staff Martha Guyas recently was elected vice-chair of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council. Congrats Martha! |
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 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.
Donna Carpenter, OLP
After not receiving my alligator harvest license and tags in the mail after eight weeks since being mailed by the FWC, I contacted the Office of Licenses and Permitting and spoke with Ms. Carpenter about my concerns since my hunt period was fast approaching. I found her to be pleasant, polite, prompt and very understanding of my dilemma. She remedied the problem quickly with a minimum of effort required on my part, which is a pleasant departure from the usual bureaucratic routine present in many government agencies. I felt it my obligation to commend anyone that understands how to deal with problems that arise related to their position and, in my case, found Donna to be that person.
Officer Brandon Scrambling
I just wanted to thank you for the professionalism of your officers. Officer Scrambling responded to my call for help when I saw people on state land taking berries. He was professional and courteous and everything I would ask for in a law enforcement officer. I am impressed with your department, thank you.
Tony Young (three commendations)
I spent two weeks trying to get clarification about the hunting rules. Finally, Tony came along and spent a lot of time explaining what I have to do to hunt on public land. I really appreciate the time he spent with me and the enthusiasm that he exhibited in our conversation.
Went above and beyond to fully answer my questions to the best of my understanding.
Tony assisted me in navigated through the confusion of being a new hunter in Florida. Tony was insightful and knowledgeable in helping me understand quota permits and hunting in WMAs.
 Congratulations to the following employees for reaching 5-year milestones of employment with the FWC.
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20 Years
Justin Allen, LE
Jamie Bevan, LE
Edward Brown, LE
Guy Carpenter, LE
Nicole Dunham, FWRI
Hope McGregor, LE
Charles Mallow, LE
Allen Martin, FFM
Claudia Plummer, NE Region
Nick Price, LE
Darrin Riley, LE
Jessica Rivera-Gutierrez, LE
Beverly Sauls, FWRI
Rama Shuster, LE
Albert Wass de Czege, LE
Charlie Wood, LE
Andrew Zamonis, LE
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15 Years
Barbara Almario, HSC
Janell Brush, FWRI
James Bryant, LE
Luke McEachron, FWRI
Kerry Maxwell, FWRI
10 Years
Tyler Beck, HSC
Andrew Dutterer, FWRI
Carl Greene, HSC
Amanda Nalley, MFM
5 Years
Katherine Burke, HS
Ethan Noel, HSC
Buddy Odom, HSC
Becky Peters, HGM
Retired!
No one retires this month.
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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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 Manatee County Officers Rick Klobuchar and Chris Davidson seized 11 snook (all undersize/executive order snook, caught by cast net/illegal method, major violation), two spotted sea trout (executive order, 1 undersize), nine sheepshead (six undersize), three flounder (all undersize), eight mangrove snapper (four undersize) from two subjects at the H.E. Boyd Bridge near Terra Ceia Bay. Neither subject had a fishing license and they were also in possession of approximately 75 pounds of other fish (mullet, mojarra, jack, catfish, spadefish, etc). About 50 pounds of those were confiscated along with the fish listed above and were given to FWC Investigations to help with future cases.
 Investigator Clint Williams, Lt. Matt Dallarosa, Officer Specialist Brian Ferguson, Lt. George Wells and Officer Miros Petru proudly represent FWC in the Tampa leg of the Special Olympic Torch Run.
 Southwest Region’s Dive team training with underwater metal detectors.
 FWC dive team members Alvis, Burks, Buckson and Rothchild assisting with the removal of several ghost traps near Pier 60 in Clearwater. Numerous traps and marine debris were removed from the water. Great job!!
 Officers worked with members of FWRI in placing radio trackers on towers off Marco Island in Lee County. Officers Bell, Burks, Grenz and Rothchild joined FWRI staff Andrew Wooley and Sarah Burnsed. Great inter-division cooperation!
 Officer Gabby Midolo helped trappers remove a nuisance alligator from upper Captiva Island in Lee County. Not your typical removal.
 Officers Brian Norris and Ryan Smith stopped six subjects picking saw palmetto berries illegally in Highlands County. The six were arrested for the violations and an estimated 700 pounds of berries were seized.
 Officer Gabby Midolo working jointly with the Lee County Sheriff’s Office to patrol a troublesome spot on the south end of the Yucca Pens WMA. Off-road activity in this area has been a growing problem and both agencies are tackling it together.
 DV Officer Kyle Plussa assists Marco Island PD with removal of a derelict vessel that was a safety hazard in Collier County.
 
 A Jacksonville 418-foot dry bulk barge underwent a successful inspection. Ongoing remediation has addressed most of the requirements for reefing. A tug company is evaluating the economics of reefing versus other disposal options and the reefing option is looking positive.
 A group of HSC staff from the the Invasive Plant Management Section and Aquatic Habitat Conservation and Restoration Sections work with members of the public to hand-remove invasive plants (Azolla pinnata) from Lake Okeechobee.
 L-R: Officers Josh Stallings and Jessica Diaz
Officers Jessica Diaz and Josh Stallings were conducting resource inspections at the Caribbean Club boat ramp in the early morning hours. They observed a vessel approaching the ramp without any visible navigation lights displayed. Officers observed a man retrieve his vehicle and back his trailer into the water. Officers Diaz then conducted a vessel stop and a subsequent resource inspection. The man indicated he was a commercial bullynet fisherman. Upon request, the man was not able to produce an SPL (Saltwater Products License). He did not have a CN endorsement (For BullyNet Vessels) or any other endorsement. Officer Diaz found the man in possession of 39 Florida spiny lobsters, well over the recreational bag limit. Officer Stallings asked for a vessel registration, which did not show the vessel was registered as a commercial vessel either. Officers ran his driver’s license number through FWC dispatch and were advised that the man’s driver’s license was expired by at least a year and that he had a confirmed warrant for his arrest issued out of Miami-Dade County. He had previous failures to appear on several traffic offenses, so Officer Diaz placed him under arrest and he was taken to jail for processing. The live lobsters were photographed and released back into the water.
 The USCG Auxiliary was putting on a Safe Boater Course for the kids who live or vacation at Ocean Reef. Capt. Maza and Officer Tyler Dunn spoke to them regarding boating safety, conservation and other job related topics.
 Officer Jacobs was on patrol along Card Sound Road when he observed several individuals fishing along the guard rail. He conducted a resource inspection and discovered a tarpon inside a cooler. One of the individuals stated that he was the only one fishing and that he was unaware of what kind of fish it was. The subject was charged accordingly.
 FWC Officer Robert Hoover keeps an eye on a female loggerhead sea turtle that came up to nest on Key Colony Beach in the middle of the afternoon. The female successfully laid a nest and made her way back to the water safely while delighted onlookers watched at a safe distance. Loggerhead sea turtles normally nest during the evening hours but will occasionally nest during the day.
Our Invasive Plant Management section is always hard at work across the state! Check out these photos of staff in the field:
 Kris Campbell checks on the efficacy of treatment for hydrilla on Lake Lawne.
 Andy Lawrence poses behind a cypress knee while performing a compliance inspection at Holopaw Conservation Area.
 Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge Compliance Inspection with Andy Lawrence and CJ Greene.
 A day of fieldwork during an eelgrass restoration project in Lake George – a cooperative effort between HSC, FWRI and FFM.
 Tournament Organizers: Billy Thompson, Rene Taboas, Rett Boyd, Randy Yanez, Mark Mahoney.
The FWC Officer Association held its second annual fishing tournament on Aug. 7 at Homestead Bayfron Park. This fun family event for FWC employees, relatives and friends helps raise money for the nonprofit FWC Officers Association.
This young angler won the Youth Angler Award with a Lifetime Fishing License.
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Deadline for the October Issue is Friday, Sept. 24
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.
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