FWC seeks info on stolen hoop nets

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is looking for information in the theft of a number of research hoop nets from Lockley Lake off the Apalachicola River in Gulf County. The nets were taken between noon last Wednesday and early Thursday morning. Kim Sash, an FWC wildlife biologist, said the 10-foot-long, barrel-shaped nets or traps were partially exposed above the waterline in the small lake across from Bryant Landing. The hoop nets are used to capture and tag alligator snapping turtles, a species of special concern. Each of the hoop nets costs $135. The FWC says if the traps are returned there will be no questions asked and they won’t press charges. Keeping the traps is a felony. The Gulf County Sheriff’s office is investigating the theft. Anyone with information about the incident can call Kim Sash at 850-827-2417.