FWC Law Enforcement Report
This report represents some events the FWC handled over May 19-25 in the Northwest region. (There were no cases reported for Wakulla County.)
OFFSHORE PATROL
• While conducting offshore patrol south of Franklin County, Officers Stallings, Hartzog and Nelson conducted a resource inspection of a recreational fishing vessel. During the inspection the occupants of the vessel told the officers they had not caught any fish. The officers discovered two large red snapper on board the vessel. Appropriate action was taken regarding the violations.
• While conducting offshore patrol south of Franklin County, Officers Hartzog and Nelson observed a vessel displaying a dive flag. The vessel occupants told the officers they speared several black grouper. The officers conducted a resource inspection and discovered the subjects had not speared any black grouper but had speared three gag grouper. Currently gag grouper is closed in state and federal waters. Two of the three gag grouper were also undersized. The officers took appropriate action to address the violations.
GULF COUNTY
• While conducting a resource inspection, Officer Gerber discovered whole stone crabs and claws in the subject’s vehicle. They were in possession of eight whole stone crabs and 20 claws in total. Thirteen of the claws were undersized and the season was closed. The subject was cited for the violations.
• Senior Officer M. Webb was conducting boating safety and resource inspections on vessels returning from fishing at a local ramp. A vessel with no registration displayed returned with two people on board. An inspection revealed the captain was in possession of a greater amberjack during closed season. A citation was issued to the captain of the vessel.