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.
NORTHWEST REGION
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
Officers Kenneth Manning and Faris Livesay received a call about a possible sunken vessel near the Garcon Point Bridge. Officers Manning and Livesay responded to the area and located the vessel with only the bow sticking out of the water. They searched the area and found two individuals floating approximately a mile away. The occupants of the vessel reported they had been floating in the water for approximately four hours. Their vessel had engine trouble and quickly sank after a series of large waves flooded it from the stern.
Officers Faris Livesay, John Bell and Kenneth Manning worked an offshore fisheries detail. During the detail, the officers inspected 27 vessels, which resulted in four notice to appear citations for fisheries violations. Three of the citations were for possession of red snapper during closed season and one citation was for possession of undersize red grouper.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
Officer John Bell, on water patrol on Santa Rosa Sound near the Bob Sikes Fishing Pier, observed several people on the pier waving frantically at him. Officer Bell approached the pier to ascertain what the problem was and learned that a person had just fallen off the pier and was in the water. Upon closer look, Officer Bell observed a woman clinging to a piling and desperately in need of help. Officer Bell positioned his patrol vessel near the female and was able to get her into his vessel before she was badly injured or killed. Apparently, she had crossed over a railing and was attempting to net a fish when she got too close to the edge and fell approximately 25 feet. The current swept her toward the piling.
OKALOOSA COUNTY
Officer Matt Webb was on water patrol conducting state fisheries inspections and joint enforcement agreement (JEA) enforcement near the Destin Pass. Officer Webb observed a boat returning from the Gulf of Mexico. During the boating safety inspection, Officer Webb determined the vessel operator was returning from a fishing trip. The fisheries inspection revealed an undersize spinner shark. The operator claimed he thought the shark was a black tip. The operator was cited for possession of an undersize spinner shark. Officer Webb educated the operator on the differences between the two shark species.
Officer Matt Webb was on water patrol conducting state fisheries inspections near the Destin Pass. His efforts resulted in citing operators and other individuals for the following fisheries violations: undersized greater amberjack and gag grouper. Officer Webb issued five written warnings and cited three individuals for possession of red snapper during closed season. The vessel occupants claimed they thought red snapper season opened on April 15. Officer Webb educated the individuals on identification of the species, size requirements and open seasons.
Officer Matt Webb was on water patrol conducting state fisheries inspections and enforcement near the Destin Pass. Officer Webb cited an individual for possession of five undersize gray triggerfish.
RESOURCE PROTECTION UNIT (RPU) WEEKLY ACTIVITIES
LEON COUNTY
Lt. Kent Harvey received a Wildlife Alert call about an individual catching grass carp out of Lake Piney Z. Upon arrival, he observed an individual fishing from the floating dock. The individual matched the description of the suspect. Lieutenant Harvey ran the tag of the suspect’s car, which came back registered to a restaurant in Tallahassee. Lieutenant Harvey observed the individual catching very large carp and placing them into the trunk of his vehicle. He followed the suspect to see where he went with the fish. He requested assistance from Investigative Lieutenant Scott Runkle. Both officers followed the subject to the restaurant where he pulled up to the back door, unloaded the fish and took them inside, leaving the back door open. When the subject came back outside, the officers stopped him and identified themselves. The subject was in possession of three grass carp. Officers found additional carp that was already cleaned in a freezer located at the restaurant. The subject was issued a citation and released.
Officer Chris Jones and Lt. Kent Harvey were working plain-clothes water patrol on Lake Jackson in Leon County. They went to a local establishment on the lake where a boat ramp and store is located and observed a ski boat with two subjects on board leaving the dock. The operator was revving up the engine. On the third attempt, the operator slammed the boat into gear, causing the vessel to go forward abruptly and collide with the dock. The operator idled the vessel out toward the lake. At the entrance to the lake, Lieutenant Harvey conducted a boating stop on the vessel. During the inspection and addressing the careless operation, he noticed several indicators that the operator was impaired. The operator had consumed seven to eight beers and was given a battery of field sobriety tasks which he performed poorly. He was arrested for boating under the influence (BUI) and transported to the Leon County Jail. At the jail, he refused to provide a breath test. The operator had been arrested previously for driving under the influence (DUI) and refused a breath test. The operator was booked into the Leon County Jail for boating under the influence and failing to give a breath sample.
Officer Chris Jones and Lt. Kent Harvey were on water patrol on Lake Jackson. In the area of Sunset Landing, they observed a vessel operating recklessly and traveling at high speeds in a congested area. The officers contacted the operator as he was attempting to come to the dock. While addressing the reckless actions of the operator, Officer Jones noticed signs of impairment. The operator was given a battery of field sobriety tasks which he performed poorly. He was placed under arrest for boating under the influence and taken to the Leon County Jail. At the jail he refused to provide a breath test and was booked into the jail.
FRANKLIN COUNTY
Capt. Craig Duval and Officer John Allen received a complaint on some individuals gigging red drum at night in the area of St. James. The officers located the subject’s vehicle and the fishermen in a small vessel just off the bank. They set up surveillance close enough to hear the conversations of the subjects in the boat. The officers overheard an individual say, "There is a redfish, get him." They observed the individuals gig the red drum. After about three hours of surveillance, the officers observed the suspects load the boat and leave. They conducted a stop and found one gigged red drum along with several other fish. The suspects were also trespassing on St. Joe property. Officer Allen cited the suspects and seized the fish as evidence.
Officers John Allen and Travis Huckeba were on water patrol in the area of Alligator Harbor when they observed some subjects flats fishing. After initial observation, the officers conducted a vessel stop and a fisheries inspection. The anglers were in possession of several legal fish, but an undersized red drum measuring 16-inches, was found in a small ice chest. Officer Huckeba cited the fisherman and took the fish as evidence.
Officers received information from uniform patrol about complaints of an offshore vessel catching red snapper out of season. The vessel was docking at a private residence in Lanark Village. Lt. Kent Harvey observed the vessel coming in from offshore and watched it dock at a house located on the bay. Once the fishermen started unloading gear, Lieutenant Harvey approached them and identified himself as a Fish and Wildlife Officer. The fishermen told the officer they had a productive day catching grouper, hogfish and sharks but failed to mention anything about catching snapper. Lieutenant Harvey conducted a fisheries inspection and found two 1‑gallon bags of red snapper fillets located in an ice chest along with several grouper. The owner of the vessel took responsibility for the fish, but stated he did not agree with the closure. The fillets were seized, and the owner was cited for the violation.
WAKULLA COUNTY
Officers Blake Hoelscher and Ryan Knutson were on water patrol in Ochlocknee Bay where they observed some subjects flats fishing. Once the boat left the area where they were fishing, the officers conducted a vessel stop and fisheries inspection. They found ten legal spotted sea trout. When the officers started to inspect the bait well, they noticed the operator push a fish to out of view of the officer. Further inspection revealed the operator attempted to conceal an eleventh spotted sea trout which was undersize. Officer Hoelscher seized the fish as evidence and issued the operator a citation.
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