FWC Law Enforcement Report

July 7, 2014

The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the weekend ending July 3.

The “Operation Dry Water” campaign launched over the past week.  Northwest Regional officers focused on boating safety education and awareness on drinking and boating.  Throughout the campaign, officers inspected 901vessels and contacted 2,510 citizens taking an educational approach.  There were 36 boating citations issued and 152 boating safety warnings issued. Six arrests for BUI were made.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

Officers Cushing and Miller were working boating safety in the Intracoastal Waterway. The officers noticed an approaching boat with fishing gear commonly used for reef fish. Upon stopping and completing a boating safety inspection, the officers conducted a fisheries inspection.  Officer Miller located a bag of freshly filleted red snapper in a cooler.  Of these fillets, two appeared to have been from an undersized red snapper.  Due to the fish not being landed in whole condition, the officers were unable to determine the actual size.  The subject was issued a notice to appear for failure to land in whole condition.

Officer Livesay was on vessel patrol in Pensacola Bay when he checked a person that was fishing from a vessel.  While performing a fisheries and boating safety check, the fisherman asked Officer Livesay what the size limit on flounder was.  He claimed he had only one fish on board and it was a flounder.  Officer Livesay checked the flounder, which was legal, but further inspection of the vessel revealed an undersized red snapper in the live well.  Officer Livesay issued a notice to appear citation for the violation.

This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week;however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.

Comments

4 Responses to “FWC Law Enforcement Report”

  1. Disappointed on July 10th, 2014 8:57 pm

    I fish Perdido alot because there’s no pressure north of Muscogee. Just bought a new boat and was testing it out. The water was high and some tubers were getting banged around and wanted to go back. I took them the couple hundred yards from where they put in. When I edged up onto the sandbar FWC jumps out of the bushes “literally” , and writes me a ticket for not enough life jackets.
    So then it really is all about the money. Therefor, just like they don’t know who’s who and just gruff with everyone, I don’t know who’s who and none of em can get any respect a yessir or nothin. I’ll just give the same stupid blank stare this guy gave me.

  2. Bob's Brother on July 7th, 2014 6:13 pm

    Wow… filet and release….. not a good idea at all. If you can’t land legal fish and you choose this route, be ready for the consequenses. I think fish citations start at around $250.00 You can buy alot of shrimp, crab, oysters, snapper, and lobster at local seafood venders for that fine.

  3. Richard on July 7th, 2014 11:12 am
  4. Little Lou on July 7th, 2014 8:37 am

    I have a question,,,,,please if anyone know’s the answer let me know……
    Can a person spear crab’s??
    Thank’s