FWC Law Enforcement Report

July 13, 2014

The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following activity during the week ending July 10.

ESCAMBIA COUNTY

FWC Officers responded to vessel incident that occurred in Escambia Bay.  The incident occurred when four individuals launched their vessel at the 17th Avenue Boat Ramp and traveled to a predetermined fishing spot.  When the operator slowed the vessel, he realized one of the passengers, sitting on a pedestal seat at the stern of the vessel, was missing.  The officers assisted with searching the area. Just before dark, the passenger was found deceased.  Investigator Goley is currently investigating the incident.

Officer Cushing and Lieutenant Berryman were on water patrol in Bayou Chico when they observed a woman swimming behind a boat in the middle of a very busy narrow channel. The woman boarded the boat as the officers pulled alongside to conduct a boating safety check and to determine why the vessel did not display any registration decal or numbers. During the initial contact, the operator of the vessel showed signs of impairment. The officers towed the vessel away from the congested area to a nearby marina and continued their investigation.  It was determined that the subject was under the influence while operating a vessel.  The subject was placed under arrest and asked to submit to a test of his breath to determine his blood alcohol content and he agreed to do so.  The test of his breath revealed the subject’s breath alcohol content to be .259, three times over the legal limit.

The crew of the FinCat (patrol vessel) conducted 16 offshore fisheries inspections.  During the inspections, several resource violations were discovered. One vessel had undersized red snapper and undersized gray triggerfish during the closed season. Another vessel had four greater amberjack during the closed season.  When the captain was asked about the closed season, he stated that someone told him it had re-opened. Despite the claim of the season being opened, three of the greater amberjack were undersized.  Appropriate citations were issued.

Officers Pineda and Clark were conducting fisheries inspections in the Pensacola Pass.  During one of these inspections, the operator of the vessel stated that he had only caught vermilion snapper and nothing else.  Further inspection revealed undersized red snapper hidden underneath the vermilion snapper.  This subject was issued a citation for possession of undersized red snapper.

Officers Pineda and Clark responded to a call for help from a boater who had a female passenger go into a seizure on top of the steering tower in a congested water way. The officers assisted in getting her down from the tower and transported her to the boat ramp where they were met by EMS.

Officers Pineda and Manning were conducting fisheries inspections on Pensacola Beach.  While checking fishermen, Officer Pineda observed two very small undersized red fish next to a fisherman on the Bob Sikes Fishing Pier.  When asked about the two fish, the fisherman replied that he had bought them at Joe Patties; however, one of the red fish was still alive.  This subject was issued a citation for possession of undersized red drum.

While on vessel patrol near the Pensacola Pass, Officers Cushing and Miller were conducting boating safety and fisheries inspections.  One particular vessel returning from the Gulf of Mexico was stopped and a fisheries inspection was conducted.   During that inspection, it was discovered that the owner/operator was in possession of a 26.5‑inch greater amberjack. When asked if he knew the regulations for the species, he stated that he thought they had to be 27 inches in length. The individual was cited for possession of amberjack during the closed season.

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

2 Responses to “FWC Law Enforcement Report”

  1. steven.candileri on July 15th, 2014 6:55 pm

    great job,need more officers out there

  2. Tom on July 15th, 2014 8:10 am

    Recreational, recreational, recreational, where are the inspections and/or investigation on commercial fishermen and charter operators….. Recreational fishermen are allowed 2 red snapper and commercial boats allowed what??? 10,000 lbs

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News