FWC Law Enforcement Report
From FWCThis report represents some events the FWC handled Sept. 29-Oct. 5 in the Northwest Region. (There were no cases reported for Wakulla County.)
BAY COUNTY
• Officer N. Basford was on patrol and checked a vessel returning from fishing to conduct a resource inspection. There were three individuals on the vessel that stated they did not have any fish in the boat. During her inspection, Officer Basford found a bag containing three Spanish mackerel fillets. The subjects stated they were using them for bait. Officer Basford explained the fish are required to be in whole condition. A citation was issued to one individual for possession of Spanish mackerel not in whole condition.
• Officer N. Basford was on patrol at the Deerpoint Dam conducting resource inspections. While talking to one individual, she noticed another person pack their gear and start to leave. She went to check the person and he stated if he had anything illegal, he would throw it back in the water. Officer Basford inspected his catch and found him to be in possession of nine undersized gray snappers. The bag limit is five per person and the minimum length is 10 inches. He was warned for being over the bag limit and issued a citation for possession of undersized gray snapper.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
• While on patrol in the Apalachicola River, Lt. Smith, Officers Hartzog and Nelson observed a vessel operating with improper display of registration and stopped the vessel to conduct a boating safety inspection. During the inspection, the operator of the vessel was observed to be operating the vessel after consuming multiple alcoholic beverages and smoking cannabis. The officers determined the operator to be operating a vessel while under the influence. The operator was arrested and transported to Franklin County Jail for boating under the influence.
GULF COUNTY
• Officer M. Webb was checking vessels at a local ramp that were returning from fishing. He observed a vessel with four people on board. A resource inspection revealed the captain was in possession of two red groupers out of season and one undersized red snapper. The captain was cited for red grouper out of season and warned for the undersized red snapper.
• Officers Gerber and Lipford were conducting resource inspections on dove fields during the opening weekend when they discovered a group hunting over a baited area. One individual was cited for the violation.
WASHINGTON/ HOLMES COUNTIES
•The Washington/Holmes County Squad worked a first phase dove season detail. Opening weekend of this ongoing effort resulted in six groups being checked, consisting of about 95 users in total. Three of the areas being hunted were determined to be baited. There were several license violations as well. Appropriate citations were issued.