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FWC Law Enforcement Report: Snapper Size, Gopher Tortoises
July 21, 2024
The Florida FWC Division of Law Enforcement reported the following recent activity:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
(No reports were submitted from Escambia County.)
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer Brown observed a vessel with fishing equipment returning to the boat ramp. Officer Brown made a vessel stop to conduct a resource inspection and located an undersized red snapper. One of the subjects on the vessel took ownership of catching and keeping the undersized red snapper. The subject was cited appropriately.
Officers Wilkenson and Burkhead in coordination with Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office, conducted an enforcement effort at Marques Bayou Boat Ramp. The Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office and the FWC have been receiving a high number of complaints regarding illegal activities at the boat ramp. Over the course of a day officers arrested two individuals and cited several other individuals for a variety of illegal activities including boating safety violations, fishing violations, and vessel registration violations. Arrests included driving while license revoked and a felony warrant for grand thief and criminal mischief.
Officers Wilkenson and Burkhead responded to a complaint of land being developed that possibly contained active gopher tortoise burrows. The officers found areas of the property had been disturbed, several pieces of heavy land clearing equipment, and an active gopher tortoise burrow. The officers located the individuals responsible for the property and its development and found they did not have the proper gopher tortoise permits in place to continue working. The officers successfully stopped the work on the property, documented the incident and referred the subjects to the FWC’s gopher tortoise program.
This report represents some events the FWC handled during the time period; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. Information provided by FWC.
NorthEscambia.com photo.
Comments
9 Responses to “FWC Law Enforcement Report: Snapper Size, Gopher Tortoises”
With rights come responsibilities. People have a lots of property rights. But there is also a responsibility to the greater society (other Americans and the resources bestowed upon us) to do things in a manner that is in everyone’s best interest.
Intentionally destroying a species that has lost 99% of its original southeastern habitat (the Longleaf Pine Forest) is not appropriate. The Gopher Tortoise population deserves an amount of concern provided by the FWC, and from local governments!
A level playing field for all is achieved when we all act responsibly, not selfishly.
Hello Phillip
If at some point we do not interceed on the behalf of lower species, they will be lost.
I am not a communist or democrat.
I have the same issue going on in my neighborhood, i live in a rural area with a high population in gooher turtle.. people come in and buy a 2 or 3 acer lot have the property cleared , thry cover the gopher hole without care of the turtle…i watched as the owner carelessly graded over turtle hole that wasn’t in his way,,, seen same owner regrade over any turtle hole when the turtles were able to dig their self out..i turned this in to the fwc hoping they put a stop to the owner killing these harmless turtles… do the right thing and pay for turtles to be relocated..a healty fine shouldnbe given to the ower..
That is what is wrong with America, you can’t even build on your own land because of a gopher tortoise! What a joke!
Great work FWC & officers… my area has a very high Tortoise population.The majority of builders don’t get a survey. They move in real quick and especially on weekends to strip the lots before any one can say ,or see anything.. it’s a shame for any species… I agree, the fine should be rigid, and enforced… keep up the good work.
Keep up the good work!
We need to give MANY Thanks to the Person or Persons who contacted the (FWC) in
regards to this (Situation) and the (FWC) officers who put many Hours into locating the
Gopher Tortoises burrows , Great Job officer Wilkenson and Officer Burkhead , Keep up the GOOD WORK and to ALL FWC Officers , STAY SAFE Out There …..
What I don’t understand about the gopher tortoise program is this: That stock work order should’ve come with a fine that is at a minimum 20k. Depending on the severity of the situation it should go up from there.
Good job, leo.