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November 22, 2024, through November 28, 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
Brevard County
- Officers Beck, St. Martin and Ross responded to information regarding commercial shrimp trawlers that were trawling at night in state waters, which is a violation of Florida law. Officer Beck then contacted Officers St. Martin and Ross for assistance. While patrolling at night, the officers observed a large shrimp trawler working close to shore with its nets deployed. Once the officers verified the vessel was trawling, they stopped it to conduct a resource inspection. Officers St. Martin and Ross boarded the vessel and documented the nets in the water. A further inspection revealed the crew was keeping oversized snook that were caught in their shrimp nets. The captain and crew were cited accordingly.
Indian River County
- Officer St. Martin was on patrol at Sebastian Inlet State Park when an anonymous source called him and stated there were two people catching and keeping undersized snook. Officer St. Martin located and observed the subjects. Once they packed up their gear, he approached them to conduct a resource inspection. The inspection revealed one undersized snook and one out of season spotted seatrout in their cooler. Both subjects were cited accordingly.
 CASES
Charlotte County
- The Babcock/Webb Wildlife Management Area had its annual nine-day general gun hunt and officers from around the area proactively patrolled the area to ensure compliance with the regulations. During the hunt, six illegally harvested antlered deer were seized. Other violations included multiple subjects failing to comply with hunter orange requirements and failing to report harvested deer. Additionally, officers investigated a vehicle crash that damaged some fencing, issuing a citation for driving without a valid driver’s license; assisted contracted nuisance alligator trappers with capturing two nuisance alligators; and issued several citations for no daily use permit.
 CASES
Broward County
- Officer Bouras conducted a fisheries inspection on a vessel at the Stub Canal boat ramp. His inspection revealed the operator was in possession of three peacock bass over the daily bag limit. Bouras issued the subject a notice to appear citation for the violation.
- Lieutenant Ryan observed a vehicle parked in a closed area at the A-1 FEB and saw two subjects harvesting fish with cast nets. Ryan conducted a fisheries inspection and found a Florida bass hidden in the brush near where the subjects were fishing. Ryan issued both subjects notice to appear citations for trespassing. Additionally, one subject was issued a notice to appear citation for harvesting freshwater gamefish by illegal method and the other subject was issued a citation for no freshwater fishing license. Lt. Ryan escorted the subjects off the property.
- Officer Willis conducted patrol at Stormwater Treatment Area 2 during the opening day of waterfowl season. There, he observed a vehicle entering the area with other permitted quota hunters. Willis stopped the vehicle for the purpose of checking hunting licenses and permits and found none of the three vehicle occupants possessed a valid quota permit for STA 2. The occupants also admitted to entering the STA 2 illegally. Willis issued all three subjects notice to appear citations for the violation and escorted them off the property.
- Officer Specialist Bruder conducted land patrol at A-1 FEB for the opening of migratory bird season. There, Bruder contacted several subjects for the purpose of conducting a resource inspection. Bruder’s inspections revealed two subjects attempted to take or engaged in the taking of migratory birds without the required federal duck stamp. Bruder issued both subjects notice to appear citations for the violations.
- Officer Rigali conducted land patrol at the Stormwater Treatment Area 2 during the opening of duck hunting season. There, he observed several individuals leaving the marsh, one of which had two ducks in his possession. Rigali stopped the individuals to conduct a resource inspection. His inspection revealed the individual in possession of the ducks did not have a federal duck stamp. Rigali issued that individual a notice to appear citation for the violation.
- Officer Giani conducted patrol at the Stormwater Treatment Area 3/4 during opening weekend of waterfowl season. There, he contacted a person who was hunting to condut a resource inspection. His inspection revealed the subject was in possession of waterfowl but did not have a federal duck stamp. Giani issued the subject a notice to appear citation for the violation.
- Officer Bouras conducted land patrol at the Everglades Wildlife Management Area during opening weekend of waterfowl season. There, he contacted a person who was hunting to conduct a resource inspection. Bouras’ inspection revealed the subject was in possession of waterfowl but did not have a federal duck stamp. Bouras issued the subject a notice to appear citation for the violation.
- Officer Bouras conducted patrol at the Everglades Wildlife Management Area during opening weekend of waterfowl season and conducted a resource inspection on a subject. Bouras’ inspection revealed the subject was in possession of waterfowl but did not have a migratory bird permit. Bouras issued the subject a notice to appear citation for the violation.
Palm Beach County
- FWC officer and investigators responded to a vessel accident at Munyon Island in North Palm Beach. A vessel struck a concrete dock, ejecting the operator who was later pronounced deceased. The passenger was treated and released. The FWC is investigating the incident.
St. Lucie County
- Officer Levesque was patrolling C23/C24 public use area when he observed a subject returning to his vehicle from the gate. It was determined the subject was duck hunting. Upon conducting a resource inspection, the officer discovered the subject was using a shotgun that was not plugged and could hold more than three rounds. The subject was issued a notice to appear for hunting migratory bird with an unplugged shotgun.
St Lucie County
- Officer David Bingham and the U. S. Coast Guard conducted a joint operation along the Indian River Lagoon during evening hours. Several live-aboard vessels were inspected in reference to navigational lights and maritime sanitation devices. Vessels found in violation were cited accordingly.
CASES
Monroe County
- FWC Officer Allen responded to a call for assistance from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Coast Guard. The report regarded a subject physically assaulting another individual onboard a shrimp boat off Key west. The injured party refused medical assistance and the aggressor was arrested by MCSO for aggravated battery.
Statewide Summary of Boating Related Law Enforcement Activities
For November 1 - 30, 2024
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Number of boating under the influence citations issued
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6
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Number of uniform boating citations issued
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520
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Number of boating accidents
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79
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Number of search and rescue operations conducted
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65
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