FWC Law Enforcement Report
This report represents some events the FWC handled Sept. 8-14 in the Northwest Region. (There were no cases reported for Wakulla County.)
FRANKLIN COUNTY
• Officer Hartzog was conducting night patrol at East Bay and observed a vessel operating without navigational lights and displaying gear consistent with fishing. Officer Hartzog stopped the vessel to conduct a resource and boating safety inspection. During the inspection, Officer Hartzog observed the two recreational anglers to be in possession of freshwater game fish and the only fishing equipment they possessed on board was a cast net and gig. Officer Hartzog interviewed the two subjects and they admitted to catching the freshwater game fish in the cast net, which is an illegal method of take. The officer addressed the violation appropriately.
• Officer Hartzog was conducting night patrol at Apalachicola Bay and observed a vessel returning to the St. George Island boat ramp without proper navigation lights. Officer Hartzog stopped the vessel to conduct a resource and boating safety inspection. When approaching the vessel, Officer Hartzog identified himself as law enforcement and the captain of the vessel began discarding undersized flounder out the stern of the vessel. Officer Hartzog instructed the captain to stop discarding the fish and come to the front of the vessel. After further inspection, Officer Hartzog discovered more undersized flounder on board and the captain of the vessel was identified as a commercial angler who had previous violations for the same offenses. The officer addressed the violation appropriately.