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Saturday, August 29, 2015
Gulf Council to Convene a Meeting of its Standing and Special Reef Fish Scientific and Statistical Committee (SSC)
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Friday, August 28, 2015
Florida DEP permit activity for Gulf County
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Florida Department of
Environmental Protection
Bob Martinez Center
2600 Blair Stone Road Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400 |
Rick Scott
Governor
Carlos Lopez-Cantera
Lt. Governor
Jonathan P. Steverson
Secretary
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FWC Division of Law Enforcement Weekly Report August 21, 2015 thru August 27, 2015
 (Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.)
FWC
Division of Law Enforcement
Weekly Report
August 21, 2015 thru August 27, 2015
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week;
however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement.
Patrol, Protect, Preserve
NORTHWEST REGION
FRANKLIN COUNTY
Officer Mynard received a call from dispatch regarding an impaired individual on a shrimping vessel in the Carrabelle River. Officer Mynard and P. Cook located the vessel aground on a sandbar at the mouth of the river. The vessel was not on anchor and as they boarded the vessel, it floated off the sand bar and started to drift with the current. Officers Mynard and Cook conducted field sobriety tasks of the individual onboard and found him to be impaired. The subject was transported to the Franklin County Jail where he provided breath samples of .160 and .170. Officer Mynard charged the individual with BUI and resisting without violence.
OKALOOSA COUNTY
Officer Pifer was on vessel patrol conducting boating safety and state fisheries inspections in the Santa Rosa Sound in Fort Walton Beach. That night, Officer Pifer observed a westbound vessel traveling with no bow navigational lights displayed. Officer Pifer initiative a vessel stop and identified the vessel’s operator. While conducting a boating safety inspection, Officer Pifer immediately detected a strong odor of alcoholic beverage emitting from the operator’s breath. Based on Officer Pifer’s observations of the operator, he requested the individual to perform field sobriety tasks. The operator was placed under arrest for BUI. The subject refused a breath test. The operator was cited for operating a vessel with no navigational lights and refusal to provide a breath sample.
Officer Pifer was conducting boating safety and state fisheries inspections near the Marler’s Bridge and the Destin Pass. Officer Pifer stopped a vessel at Crab Island and while conducting a boating safety inspection, he observed signs that the vessel was returning from a fishing trip. During the fisheries inspection, Officer Pifer observed an undersized red snapper. The red snapper measured 12.5 inches in total length. Red snapper season is closed. The vessel operator was cited for possession of red snapper out of season and issued a warning for undersized red snapper.
Later, Officer Pifer observed an individual snorkeling in the Destin Pass around the Destin Westjetties without a divers down flag. As Officer Pifer approached the snorkeler, the individual dove down below the surface of the water and then resurfaced a few moments later. Officer Pifer observed a spear gun laying on the sea floor just below the individual. The individual was issued a citation for spearfishing near a jetty and a warning for no diver’s down flag.
Officers Pifer and Corbin were conducting state fisheries inspections in the Destin Pass when they stopped a vessel returning from the Gulf of Mexico. The fisheries inspection revealed three large red snapper on board. The vessel’s operator acknowledged he knew the season was closed for red snapper. The vessel operator was issued a citation for possession of red snapper during closed season.
Officers Rockwell, Maltais, Pifer, Molnar and Corbin conducted vessel patrol in Choctawhatchee Bay, Santa Rosa Sound and bayous during the Annual Poker Run. This is a big fund raising event. There were over 150 vessels registered and participated in the event. The majority of the vessels are high performance boats. Due to the large volume of additional vessel traffic, the officers patrolled extended hours for public safety. The officers’ efforts resulted in no reportable boating accidents, 170 boating safety vessel stops, 545 user contacts, 19 uniform boating citations and 18 written warnings issued, and 1 physical arrest.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officers Pineda and Clark worked the Navarre Fishing Pier in response to several complaints of people keeping undersized Spanish mackerel. The officers set up and conducted surveillance of the pier. When the subjects in question left the pier, the officers conducted a fisheries inspection of their catch. Officers found one person to be in violation and possessed four undersized Spanish mackerel. The subject stated that he knew the rules and must have been in a hurry when measuring the fish. The subject was issued a notice to appear for possession of undersized Spanish mackerel and the illegal fish were seized.
Officers Land and Cushing were patrolling offshore on the FINCAT (patrol vessel) over the weekend. During one of the vessel inspections, Officer Land discovered five red snapper. The owner/operator of the vessel claimed they were blackfin snapper. Officer Land explained the difference between the two and issued him a state citation for possession of red snapper during closed season.
COMMUNITY ORIENTED POLICINING
OKALOOSA COUNTY
Officer Rockwell attended the Emerald Coast Poker Run Captains meeting in Destin. Officer Rockwell answered questions concerning boating safety issues and local knowledge of the waterways.
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Wakulla County Announces Interim Planning and Community Development Director
Crawfordville, Florida – The Wakulla County Board of County Commissioners announces Somer Strickland as its Interim Planning and Community Development Director. Ms. Strickland is replacing Mr. Luis Serna who has served in this capacity since 2012. Ms. Strickland will begin her interim role on August 31, 2015 and will lead this department until a permanent selection is made.
The Planning and Community Development Department provides current and long-range planning, subdivision, site plan review, concurrency management, zoning and land use administration and enforcement, and special projects. In addition, the Department also oversees Code Enforcement and Housing Services.
For your planning and community development needs, visit the Planning and Community Development Office located at 10 Bream Fountain Rd., or call the office at (850) 926-3695.
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Make sure you are prepared for a major storm this season
The Franklin County Emergency Management Office is reminding all residents to make sure they are prepared for any major storms this year.
So far this has been a very quiet season but this is the time of year that we tend to see more storm activity.
We are now entering what is historically the most active time of hurricane season between August 15th and October 15th.
The EOC is currently monitoring Tropical Storm Erika in the Atlantic Ocean so this would be a good time to check your disaster kits and check and review your Emergency Plans.
Make sure you have all the supplies needed for a hurricane.
Make sure all outside equipment and lawn furniture is stored properly and check your shutters and equipment used to secure your home.
You can find out more about hurricane preparedness by going to the Emergency management office website at www.franklinemergencymanagement.com
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So far this has been a very quiet season but this is the time of year that we tend to see more storm activity.
We are now entering what is historically the most active time of hurricane season between August 15th and October 15th.
The EOC is currently monitoring Tropical Storm Erika in the Atlantic Ocean so this would be a good time to check your disaster kits and check and review your Emergency Plans.
Make sure you have all the supplies needed for a hurricane.
Make sure all outside equipment and lawn furniture is stored properly and check your shutters and equipment used to secure your home.
You can find out more about hurricane preparedness by going to the Emergency management office website at www.franklinemergencymanagement.com
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Thursday, August 27, 2015
Business After Hours Tomorrow August 28th at Riverwood Suites & Edge Salon
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SERT OFFICIALS DIRECT PUBLIC TO FLGETAPLAN.COM AS PREPARATION FOR TROPICAL STORM ERIKA CONTINUES
SERT OFFICIALS DIRECT PUBLIC TO FLGETAPLAN.COM AS
PREPARATION FOR TROPICAL STORM ERIKA CONTINUES ~ Florida Families and Businesses Urged to Build a Family Emergency Plan ~ | |
| TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – As monitoring and preparation efforts continue for Tropical Storm Erika, SERT officials are encouraging all Florida residents, visitors and businesses to visit the website FLGetAPlan.com, and to use this site as the basis for building a customized emergency plan. “A visit to FLGetAPlan.com takes just five minutes, and can help you create a plan to better prepare your family and keep them safe,” said FDEM Director Bryan W. Koon. “The website provides a quick and simple option for those looking to build a basic emergency plan for their family or business.” FLGetAPlan.com is an interactive website designed to provide families and businesses with the basic foundation for building a disaster supply kit, evacuation planning and communication needs. Building a disaster supply kit is a simple and effective way to make sure your family has enough water, food, medicine and other essential supplies to survive for at least 72 hours during the absence of services immediately following a disaster. The 2015 Atlantic Hurricane season runs from June 1 – November 30. For additional information about severe weather in Florida, and to Get A Plan, visitFloridaDisaster.org and FLGetAPlan.com. Follow the SERT on social media on Twitter at @FLSERT and Facebook at www.Facebook.com/FloridaSERT. |
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Franklin county supporting Northwest Florida Estuaries and watershed project
Franklin County has thrown its
support behind a program called the Northwest Florida Estuaries and watershed
project that is seeking to create comprehensive management plans for seven
northwest Florida estuaries including the Apalachicola.
The program is being spearheaded
by the Nature Conservancy – over the past two years the Nature Conservancy
along with county officials, researchers, and other stakeholders have held
meetings to identify and coordinate estuary management issues.
It hopes to use BP restoration money
to establish watershed projects for the comprehensive management, restoration
and protection of seven northwest estuaries from Pensacola to Wakulla County.
That includes the Apalachicola,
Ochlockonee and St. Marks estuaries.
Because the projects would go
beyond county boundaries, the nature Conservancy sent a resolution of support to
all 8 affected counties – and according to county staff all 8 approved the
resolution.
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All Extra-curricular activities at Port St. Joe High School postponed till Monday
A message from the Gulf County School District:
Although public health officials have advised us that there is no increased risk of healthy players competing, the decision has been made to postpone extra- curricular activities until Monday, August 31. This includes the Friday night CLASH OF THE COUNTY football game between Port St. Joe and Wewahitchka. All schools will remain open. This decision has been made to allow our students to recover from recent illnesses.
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Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Health official say there are now three confirmed cases of viral meningitis at Port St. Joe High school
The Florida Department of Health in Gulf County (DOH-Gulf) is working with health care providers, parents and administrators to respond to cases of viral meningitis, caused by enterovirus, and other reports of illnesses in students enrolled at Port St. Joe Junior-Senior High School in Port St. Joe, Florida. Based on new case definition criteria, there are three confirmed laboratory cases of viral meningitis.
Viral meningitis is an infection of the covering of the brain and spinal cord that is caused by a virus. In the summer months, most viral meningitis cases are caused by enteroviruses, which are most often spread from person to person through contact with infected person’s fecal material or saliva. Symptoms of viral meningitis include fever, severe headache, stiff neck, sensitivity to bright light, sleepiness or trouble waking up, nausea, vomiting and lack of appetite. Symptoms usually last seven to 10 days and people with normal immune systems usually recover completely.
The symptoms of viral meningitis are similar to those of the more serious bacterial form of meningitis. Because of this it is important to see a health care provider right away if you think you or your child might have meningitis.
Below are steps you can take to help lower your chances of spreading viral meningitis:
· Wash your hands thoroughly and often with soap and water, especially after changing diapers, using the toilet, or coughing or blowing your nose;
· Avoid sharing a drinking glass, water bottles, eating utensils, lipstick or other such items that may have saliva on them;
· Avoid close contact, such as touching or shaking hands, with people who are sick;
· Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces; and
· Staying home when you are sick. About the Florida Department of Health
The department works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.
Follow us on Twitter at @HealthyFla and on Facebook. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.
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Gulf Specimen Marine Lab to release three turtles at Bald Point State Park on Thursday
The Gulf Specimen Marine Lab in Panacea will release three sea turtles
into the wild from Bald Point state Park Thursday afternoon.
All of the turtles
are Kemps Ridleys which are the most
endangered of all sea turtles.
Each
turtle being released was brought in to be treated for injuries from fishing
hooks.
Kemp’s
Ridley turtles tend to live near oyster beds, which makes them more prone to
being caught by fishermen.
A
few of these turtles were caught off the St. George Island fishing piers.
If you would like to
watch the turtle release, it will take place at Bald Point State Park Thursday
afternoon at 3.
The public is invited to attend and bring your cameras.
Gulf
Specimen is a non-profit biological supply, educational center, as well as a
sea turtle rehabilitation center based out of Panacea, Florida.
The
lab houses many rescued sea turtles each year, providing them with a place to
heal and eat in order to prepare them for their release.
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Everything you ever wanted to know about oysters on August 26th
- Oyster issues
- Firefighter hit by police car pursuing man wanted for oyster poaching in Md.
- Growers agree to test more oysters to get product back in B.C. market
- Barra oyster business to expand with help from HIE
- Kangaroo Island shellfish company creates frozen pre-topped oysters for export interstate
- OYSTERS, RECONSIDERED: COMING FULL CIRCLE IN LOUISIANA
- Alaska Grows its Oyster Harvest
- VMRC looks at further oyster harvesting regulations
- Watermen express needs for aquaculture
- Oyster farmers seek quicker approval process
- Ten Years Later, Buzzards Bay Oyster Farmer Still Going Strong
- The New Rules of Oyster Eating
Full Moon Climb at Cape St. George Lighthouse on August 29th
The
August Full Moon Climb at the Cape St. George Lighthouse on St. George Island will
be held on Saturday, August 29, 2015.
The Sunset/Full Moon Climb will take place from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
and will include light hors d'oeuvres and a sparkling cider toast to the full
moon. Cost is $15.00 for the general
public and $10.00 for members of the St. George Lighthouse Association.
The
sun will set at 8:05 p.m. and the “Sturgeon” moon will rise at 8:05 p.m. on
August 29. The August full moon was named after the sturgeon, a large fish
common to the Great Lakes and other large bodies of water, because the fish is
most readily caught during this month. A
species of sturgeon has occasionally been found in the Apalachicola River. Full moons were named by native American
tribes, primarily the Algonquins who ranged from New England to the Great
Lakes, to keep up with the changing seasons.
After
sunset, people are invited to climb to the top of the lighthouse for a
breathtaking view of the full moon, as space and time permit. Cost is $10.00 for the general public and
$5.00 for SGLA members.
The
Cape St. George Light is located in St. George Lighthouse Park at the center of
St. George Island, where Island Drive (the road off the bridge) ends at Gulf
Beach Drive. Parking is available in
lots at either side of the park.
Because
space is limited, reservations are recommended.
For reservations or more information, please contact the Lighthouse Gift
Shop at 850-927-7745.
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Off-Highway Vehicle enthusiasts can now go on-line to buy permits to ride in the Apalachicola and Ocala national forests
Planning your trail ride in the National Forests in Florida just got a whole lot easier. StartingSeptember 1, 2015, the Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV) passes required to explore the over 300 miles of OHV trails in the Apalachicola and Ocala National Forests will be available online.
Trail riders will be able to purchase online at Recreation.gov. On the homepage, search for “Florida OHV,” pick which pass you want and when you want it, and print it at home.
“We want to make sure it’s as simple as possible for our visitors to be able to get out and ride in and enjoy the National Forests in Florida,” said Jesse English, Recreation Program Manager for the Forest Service, “and making the passes available to purchase online and print at home makes getting your passes so much easier than making a special trip to the District Ranger Office.”
Trail riders will be able to purchase a 3-day, 7-day or annual pass that range in price from $10.00 per person to $75.00 per person. Visitors will also be able to purchase multiple passes at once, to save on online transaction fees. Your pass will be valid on all designated OHV trails in the Apalachicola and Ocala National Forests, and is not required to ride on the Osceola National Forest.
When riding, please remember to consult our Motor Vehicle Use Maps, available on our website. OHV riders are reminded that OHVs must stay on the designated trails. All cross-country travel by a motorized vehicle, including OHVs, is prohibited.
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Franklin county commission to consider mobile restaurant on St. George Island
Franklin County commissioners can
now move forward on a proposed 80 seat restaurant on St. George Island.
The
board has been asked for Commercial Site Plan approval for “Loula and Dan”, an
80 seat single service restaurant which would be located in the center of the
island.
The
dining would be open air patio style because the kitchen, restrooms and cooler
would be portable, so the whole restaurant could evacuate during a major storm.
The
county’s planning and zoning board voted three to two to deny the site plan.
County
commissioners tabled action on the issue earlier this summer so the state
ethics commission could rule on whether Commissioner Smokey Parrish had a
conflict because his wife works for one of the parties involved.
The
ethics commission recently ruled that there is no conflict and the commissioner
Parrish can vote.
The
county commission said they would like the proposal brought back to the board
as quickly as possible.
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Franklin County wants to know if its workers are wasting county time on social media
County commissioners are taking a look at whether county
workers are spending too much time at work using social media like facebook.
Alan Pfeifer, who heads up the
Concerned Citizens of Franklin County, raised the issue at last week’s county
commission meeting.
He said he has received a few
calls from county workers saying that a lot of county work hours are being
wasted on social media – he was curious if the county had a social media policy
in place.
The county does not have a policy
directly pertaining to social media usage, but the county attorney said there
are rules in place to address county workers wasting time.
Some county offices already ban
the use of social media sites like facebook – and constitutional officers have
their own rules that they enforce.
County commissioners said it
would be good to know if county computers are being used to access social media
sites and county coordinator Michael Moron said he would contact the county’s
internet provider to see if that type of information is available.
He said he would report back as
soon as possible.
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STATE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER ACTIVATES TO LEVEL TWO IN PREPARATION FOR POSSIBLE IMPACTS FROM TROPICAL STORM ERIKA
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| RICK SCOTT Governor | BRYAN W. KOON FDEM Director |
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Wednesday, August 26, 2015 | |
STATE EMERGENCY OPERATIONS CENTER ACTIVATES TO LEVEL TWO
IN PREPARATION FOR POSSIBLE IMPACTS FROM TROPICAL STORM ERIKA | |
| TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – At 8 a.m. EDT today, the State Emergency Operations Center (SEOC) in Tallahassee activated to partial activation, as current forecast models now indicate Florida is within Tropical Storm Erika’s five-day cone of error. The State Emergency Response Team (SERT) continues to monitor the developing storm, as it prepares for any weather-related impacts Erika may bring to the state. “Too many variables still exist for us to be able to accurately predict where this storm might impact us or how strong it may be if it does,” said FDEM Director Bryan W. Koon. “We are preparing the protective and responsive measures we will need if the storm continues to develop out of an abundance of caution.” Florida residents and visitors should continue to monitor local news for further instructions, ensure disaster supply kits are fully stocked and plans are in place to remain safe in the event that that Tropical Storm Erika does impact the state. The 2015 Atlantic Hurricane season runs from June 1 – November 30. For additional information about severe weather in Florida, and to Get A Plan, visitFloridaDisaster.org and FLGetAPlan.com. Follow the SERT on social media on Twitter at @FLSERT and Facebook at www.Facebook.com/FloridaSERT.
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Florida DEP permit activity for Franklin, Gulf and Wakulla Counties
|
Florida Department of
Environmental Protection
Bob Martinez Center
2600 Blair Stone Road Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2400 |
Rick Scott
Governor
Carlos Lopez-Cantera
Lt. Governor
Jonathan P. Steverson
Secretary
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Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Running for the Bay Marathon gets county approval
County
commissioners have approved this year’s “Running for the Bay” Marathon.
The Marathon has been held in
Franklin County since 2010, it also includes a 30 mile super-marathon as well
as a 10K and 5K run.
The event wants to get as many local
people as possible involved in the run they already have agroup out of the Franklin County Senior Center in Carrabelle
called BeLinda's Fitness Pals is training to take part in the 5K this year.
City and county law enforcement
handle the traffic control as the marathon brings hundreds of runners to
Franklin County to run from battery Park in Apalachicola to St. George Island
and back again.
The marathon will be held this
year on October the 18th.
You can get more information at
http://www.runningforthebay.com/
Commissioners did make approval
contingent on the marathon making its annual 2500 dollar donation to the
community again this year.
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Miss Florida Seafood Pageant this Saturday
The Florida Seafood festival will
hold its annual Miss Florida seafood pageant this weekend.
Five young ladies will vie for
the title of Miss Florida Seafood.
This years contestants Fa'letta Davis, Amber
Henning, Kaleigh Hardy. Victoria
Cook and Trinity Hardy.
The young ladies are competing
for a 1000 dollar scholarship plus the chance to represent this year’s Seafood
Festival which will be held October 31st and November 1st at Battery
Park in Apalachicola.
The
pageant will be held Saturday, August 29th at 7 p.m. at the Franklin County
School’s cafetorium.
Tickets
will be sold at the door; they are 5 dollars each.
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Limited harvest for snook, a premier Florida fish, starts Sept. 1
The recreational harvest season for snook, a premier Florida fish, starts Sept. 1 statewide. Unique to the region, snook are one of the many reasons Florida is the Fishing Capital of the World.
While the fishery is already more than 90 percent catch-and-release, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) encourages anglers to continue to use moderation when determining whether or not to take a snook home. Gulf snook populations were negatively impacted by a 2010 cold kill. Gulf snook numbers currently exceed FWC management goals, but are still rebuilding to pre-cold-kill levels, which is one of the reasons why it is important to handle fish with care and use moderation when determining whether or not to harvest one.
When releasing a snook, proper handling methods can help ensure the species’ abundance for anglers today and generations to come. To learn more about catch-and-release fish handling, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater” then “Recreational Regulations.”
Regular season closures are designed to help protect the species during vulnerable times such as cold weather and spawning. Snook are closed to harvest Dec. 1 through the end of February, andMay 1 through Aug. 31 in Gulf state and federal waters, including Monroe County and Everglades National Park. In Atlantic state and federal waters, including Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River, snook season is closed Dec. 15 through Jan. 31 and June 1 through Aug. 31.
Management measures such as the one-fish-per-person, per-day bag limit, annual closed seasons and size limits will help continue rebuilding snook populations on both coasts.
Minimum and maximum size limits help protect juvenile and older breeding fish within the population. In the Atlantic, snook must be not less than 28 inches and not more than 32 inches total length, which is measured from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed while the fish is lying on its side. In the Gulf, they must be not less than 28 inches and not more than 33 inches total length.
A snook permit as well as a recreational saltwater license is required unless the angler is exempt from the recreational license requirement. Snook may be targeted or harvested with hook and line gear only. Snagging is prohibited.
Researchers ask anglers who harvest the fish to save their filleted carcasses and provide them to the FWC by dropping them off at a partcipating bait and tackle store. For the county-by-county list, go to MyFWC.com/Research and click on “Saltwater,” then “Snook” (under “Saltwater Fish”) and “Snook Anglers Asked to Help with Research.”
These carcasses provide biological data, including the size, age, maturity and sex of the catch. This information is important to the FWC in completing stock assessments on species such as snook. If you see a snook fishery violation, please call the Wildlife Alert Program at 888-404-FWCC (3922).
Visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater Fishing” and “Recreational Regulations” for more information on snook.
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