FWC and FHP apprehend suspect in illegal spearfishing incident, second suspect still at large 

For immediate release: March 10, 2025 
Media contacts: Arielle Callender, Arielle.Callender@MyFWC.com 
                          Ashlee Sklute, Ashlee.Sklute@MyFWC.com 

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FWC and FHP apprehend suspect in illegal spearfishing incident, second suspect still at large 

On March 8, during a joint patrol as part of Operation Vigilant Sentry, near Whale Harbor Bridge in Monroe County, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the Florida Highway Patrol observed two divers in the water with spearguns and without a visible dive flag.

As officers approached, they spotted a large tarpon struggling in the water nearby. One diver complied with the officers' commands to stop for a resource inspection, while the other ignored them and attempted to swim away. When officers tried to apprehend the fleeing diver, the initially cooperative diver attempted to escape on foot. FWC officers pursued the diver in the water, while FHP officers pursued the diver on land.

FWC officers successfully apprehended the diver in the water, identified as Yosbel Salazar Hernandes (DOB 6/30/84). Unable to locate any records for Hernandes, officers contacted Customs and Border Protection, who took him into custody. The second suspect remains unidentified and is still at large. He was last seen leaving Wahoo’s Seafood Bar and Grill Restaurant in Islamorada heading southbound in a brown Ford F-150 truck.

At the scene, officers recovered two speared tarpon and an undersize speared snook. A warrant has been issued for the violations.

Anyone with information regarding the unidentified suspect is encouraged to call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922).