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May 3, 2024 through May 9, 2024
This report represents some events the FWC handled over specified weeks;
however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement.
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 CASES
Bay County
- While on patrol at city marina, Officer Specialist Alsobrooks observed a vessel come in with fishing rods and six people on board. The officer conducted a fisheries inspection when they arrived at the dock and found seven greater amberjack on the vessel and five of them were undersized. The captain of the vessel was issued a citation for possession of undersized greater amberjack and over the bag limit of greater amberjack.
- Officer Specialist Alsobrooks was on patrol in Grand Lagoon when he conducted a resource inspection on a vessel returning from fishing with one person on board. The individual was found to be in possession of an undersized greater amberjack. The individual was issued a citation for the violation.
- Officer Specialist Alsobrooks conducted a fisheries inspection on a vessel with three people onboard in St. Andrews Bay. During the inspection, an undersized greater amberjack and gray triggerfish were discovered. The captain of the vessel was issued a citation for the greater amberjack and a warning for the triggerfish.
- While on patrol in St. Andrews Bay, Officer Specialist Alsobrooks and Officers Jarrell and Oliver conducted a fisheries inspection on a vessel returning from fishing with three people onboard. During the inspection, two undersized greater amberjack, an undersized gray triggerfish and out-of-season gag grouper were discovered. The individuals on the vessel were interviewed. Two individuals were issued citations for the greater amberjack and gag grouper. A warning was issued for the triggerfish.
- Officer Specialist Alsobrooks conducted a fisheries inspection on a vessel returning from fishing with one person aboard in the Gulf of Mexico. During the inspection, two out-of-season red snapper were discovered. The captain of the vessel was issued a citation for the violation.
Franklin County
- Officer Hartzog was on patrol at John Gorrie Bridge and observed an individual flounder gigging on the Cat Point area of Apalachicola Bay. Officer Hartzog observed the subject gig an undersized flounder, place it on his fish stringer, and continue searching for more fish. The officer asked to conduct a resource inspection on the subject’s catch and observed the subject to be in possession of undersized flounder. The violations were cited accordingly.
- Officer Hartzog was on patrol at Island Drive and observed an individual flounder gigging on the East Hole area of Apalachicola Bay. The officer observed the subject gig multiple flounder and place them in a bag. The officer asked to conduct a resource inspection, which revealed the subject to be in possession of undersized flounder. The violations were cited accordingly.
- Officer Hartzog was on patrol at Apalachicola Bay and observed two individuals fishing on the causeway under the John Gorrie bridge. The officer pulled his patrol vessel up to the causeway and the subjects began packing their gear and walking away. Officer Hartzog identified himself and asked to conduct a resource inspection, which revealed the subject to be over his daily bag limit of red drum and in possession of several undersized red drum. The violations were cited accordingly.
 CASES
Taylor County
- While patrolling inshore waters, Officer Rowe conducted resource inspections on three vessels. The inspections revealed violations including undersized seatrout, over-the-bag limit seatrout, and undersized redfish. Five citations were issued for the violations.
 CASES
Brevard County
- Lieutenant Riley conducted a resources check on a subject fishing on the shore of the Indian River near Highway 528. The check revealed the subject had an active warrant out of Orange County. He was arrested and booked into the Brevard County Jail.
- Officer Specialist Pecko was on patrol near Port Canaveral in the Banana River when he conducted a vessel stop and a fisheries inspection on a vessel being paddled from the west side of the locks. The vessel did not have a sound producing device and the subject was in possession of over the bag limit of mangrove snapper, undersized mangrove snapper, and six undersized sheepshead. The subject was cited accordingly.
Indian River County
- While on late night patrol of a public small game area, Lieutenant Lightsey observed a vehicle in a closed area. A search of the area revealed three subjects with a light and concealed handgun. The concealed weapon holder did not have a valid form of identification, which is a violation of new concealed carry laws. Notice to appear citations were issued to the subjects for entering district lands when closed and a warning for no valid identification with a concealed weapon.
Orange County
- Officer Specialist Pecko was on patrol in Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area when he conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle for being in the WMA after hours. The subject did not have a valid driver’s license and was in possession of freshwater gamefish with only a cast net. The subject was cited accordingly.
- Officer Specialist Pecko was on patrol in Tosohatchee Wildlife Management Area when he conducted a day use pass check on a vehicle, which turned into a fisheries inspection. The trunk of the vehicle had tilapia and a bucket with 126 panfish and a largemouth bass. The only means of fishing located in the vehicle was a cast net. The driver of the vehicle did not have a valid driver’s license and could not provide proof of paying the day use fee. The subjects were cited accordingly.
- Officers Wild, Navarino and Hawks were on vessel patrol along the St. John’s River outside of a local wildlife management area when they located an illegal camp site. The campsite led to a resource investigation where the officers identified crops being planted on the WMA, trees cut down, and almost 150 freshwater mussels in an individual’s possession. All trees and plants are protected on WMAs, and planting crops is prohibited. The daily bag limit for freshwater mussels is 10, and any camping on this WMA requires a permit and a designated camp site. Officer Hawks issued the subject a notice to appear for over the daily bag limit of freshwater mussels. The illegal camping, planting crops, cutting trees and no freshwater fishing license violations were also addressed.
- FWC K-9 Officers North, Hocker and Malicoat were conducting resource inspections at a local wildlife management area with their K-9s Maggie, Cooper and Mako and with the assistance of Officers Fahnestock, Navarino, Robinson and Lieutenant Mendelson. Numerous resource, driving, license and permit violations were addressed throughout the weekend. Citations were issued for take of freshwater gamefish by illegal method, over the bag limit of freshwater mussels, take of common gallinule (moohen), remaining in the WMA after legal hours, traffic violations, and license/permit violations.
Osceola County
- While patrolling agricultural fields at night, Officer Armstrong and Lieutenant Lightsey observed a vehicle trespassing. Upon inspection, two subjects were hunting wild hogs on the private property without landowner permission. A notice to appear and warning were issued for the violations.
Putnam County
- Officer Carroll was patrolling a local fishing dock when she observed a subject throwing a cast net and keeping fish larger than baitfish. Upon inspection, it was determined the subject had been keeping gamefish caught by illegal method. The subject was cited appropriately.
St. Johns County
- Senior Officers Thomas and Campbell responded to a boating accident off Porpoise Point. The operator presented himself as the owner. The vessel became grounded and sank. Through investigation and numerous witness interviews, Officers Thomas, Campbell, and Chamberlain discovered the vessel was stolen. As the vessel was valued at $100,000 and a total loss, Officer Thomas arrested the operator for grand theft. The operator was also charged with violation of probation and threats on a law enforcement officer.
 CASES
Broward County
- Officers Willis and Beppel conducted a livery inspection on the owner of Jet Skis at Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park boat ramp. During the investigation, the subject admitted to renting jet skis without the necessary licenses, permits, and insurance. Willis issued the subject three notice to appear citations for no proper insurance requirement, failing to provide pre-rental or pre-ride instruction, and failure to obtain a permit for commercial activity within the state park. Willis also issued the subject five warnings for no FWC permit, failure to display safety information, renting a vessel without boater safety, person renting does not meet the boat education requirements, and one trespass warning.
- Officers Willis and Giani conducted a livery inspection at Dr. Von D. Mizell-Eula Johnson State Park boat ramp. The investigation revealed the subject was in violation of several livery laws. Willis issued the subject notice to appear citations for no FWC livery permit and conducting business in state park. The subject was also issued a citation for navigation lights.
Hendry County
- Officers Dudas, Bruder, Pridgen, Rea, Watson, and Lieutenant Kleis participated in the annual Brown Sugar Festival in the community of Harlem in Clewiston. The officers, along with members of the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office and several other law enforcement agencies were present at the event to ensure a safe atmosphere for festival goers. Officers were also there to enforce off-road vehicle violations and trespass complaints on neighboring properties. While officers reported few issues, they did conduct a stop of an offroad vehicle operating on the roadway and turned the case over to the Hendry County Sheriff’s Office.
Palm Beach County
- Officers Wences and Lardikis were conducting land patrol on the L-8 levee and observed a vehicle inside the reservoir area. The owner of the vehicle was fishing in the reservoir and was unauthorized to have his vehicle in the area. Upon further investigation, it was found the subject had been previously warned by another FWC officer for the same violation. The subject was cited accordingly.
- Officer Wences was conducting land patrol at A-1 FEB and observed a vehicle and several subjects with one individual fishing in the closed area. Officer Wences conducted a resource and license inspection and explained to the group there were multiple posted signs outside of the north entrance stating the area was closed. Two of the subjects were cited accordingly.
SEARCH AND RESCUE
Martin County
- An elderly commercial angler was offshore at St. Lucie Inlet when his anchor line broke. He put on a life jacket and entered the water to look for the anchor without success. The angler returned to his vessel but could not board due to rough seas. In addition, the vessel was taking on water from a crack somewhere in the hull. Water ultimately overtook the transom capsizing the vessel. Officer Paul Godward was on patrol within the Inlet jetties when he noticed a white piece of debris floating south of the Inlet. He made his way offshore to investigate and identified the debris as a commercial fishing cooler. Concerned, Officer Godward made way into the rough wind and sea. After covering about a half mile, he saw a shiny object just above the breaking waves. The officer made his way to the object and found it was a 28' capsized vessel. Within seconds he saw the angler clutching a cooler lid. Officer Godward needed more hands to recover the angler due to the rough seas and contacted FWC communications who facilitated a response by Martin County Sheriff's Office marine units. They recovered the angler and he was taken to the hospital and treated. Officer Godward's intuition and quick response were integral in saving the subject’s life.
Palm Beach County
- Officers Spirito, Moss and Stiltner responded to a search and rescue for a vessel in distress taking on water. Officers located the vessel outside of the Jupiter Inlet and escorted it to Burt Reynolds Boat Ramp.
 CASES
Miami-Dade County
- Officer Catalano was patrolling Bill Baggs State Park with a focus on speeding vehicles to help keep park attendees safe. During the two-day detail, Officer Catalano conducted multiple traffic stops, issuing 13 citations for driving with a suspended driver’s license. The officer also issued a citation to a vehicle operator for following too closely and speeding. The operator refused to sign and was arrested.
Monroe County
- Investigator Chris Mattson was patrolling federal water patrol near Conch Reef Sanctuary Preservation Area. Investigator Mattson observed a vessel at anchor and fishing in the no take zone. The subject was issued a federal citation for fishing in the SPA.
- Investigator Mattson received a phone call from a local charter captain about a vessel SCUBA diving and spearfishing in the Key Largo Existing Management Area near Turtle Reef. Investigator Mattson waited for the SCUBA divers to surface and then stopped the vessel. The subjects were spearfishing and had six speared fish onboard. Both subjects were issued a federal citation for spearfishing in the Key Largo Existing Management Area.
- Investigator Mattson was patrolling state waters at Turtle Reef when he observed a vessel with a dive flag and free divers in the water. Investigator Mattson observed the subject spearfishing in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. An inspection revealed the subject had an undersized red grouper, three hogfish, two of which were undersized. The subject was issued citations for spearfishing in John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park and possession of undersized red grouper, over-the-bag limit hogfish and undersized hogfish.
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