FWC arrests 5 in illegal net case

Fish and wildlife officers made five arrests last week in connection with an illegal net case.

The arrests came after a three-week investigation, which began when FWC officers spotted two men net fishing on the bay at night without navigational lights.

The officers got close enough to the vessel undetected and attempted to conduct a vessel stop, but the vessel fled into a cove on the north end of the St. George Island Plantation.

During the chase officers were able to identify the operator, and also saw the other fisherman dump a large quantity of net into the water. 

The suspects ran on foot and were able to elude the officers but the operator is well known to FWC for 89 prior arrests for resource violations.

He was out on bond for a previous arrest for net fishing violations.

During the investigation, officers obtained evidence and secured warrants for the operator and passenger for fleeing and attempting to elude an FWC officer, possession of a commercial quantity of fish while license is revoked, fishing with a net greater than 500 square feet with an illegal mesh size, connecting nets, and nets not marked. 

Three other people, including one with 72 prior resource arrests, were arrested for assisting the operator to elude authorities, and for giving false information to a law enforcement officer during an investigation. 

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