FWC Law Enforcement Weekly Report 09/05 - 09/11/2014

FWC

Division of Law Enforcement

 

Weekly Report

September 5 - September 11, 2014

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 Allen received information about individuals harvesting oysters at night in closed waters in Apalachicola Bay.  Officer Allen set up surveillance in the area the information was given and observed two boats and occupants actively harvesting oysters.  Officer Allen attempted to stop the vessels and was able to get one stopped.  He found the individuals on board had a full deck of oysters and were harvesting them in closed waters.  Two individuals on board were issued citations for harvesting oysters between sunset and sunrise and harvesting oysters in a closed area.  Also, several boating safety warnings were issued.

Officers conducted oyster size tolerance inspections to coincide with the opening of the winter harvest areas in Apalachicola Bay this week. During the inspections, Officer Allen and Investigator Cook issued four misdemeanor citations for possession of undersized oysters.

While fueling his vessel at a local marina, Officer Cook noticed a vessel operating in the idle speed zone of the Carrabelle River at what appeared to be full speed. After refueling, Officer Cook located the vessel and performed a vessel stop and vessel safety inspection. During the inspection, it became quite clear to Officer Cook that the vessel operator was under the influence of some type of alcoholic beverage. After attempting several field sobriety tasks, the operator of the vessel admitted to consuming alcohol pretty much the entire day and a breath sample of the operator revealed that he was almost twice the legal limit (.159 ml). The vessel operator was cited and jailed for the violation.

OKALOOSA COUNTY

Officer H. Rockwell was working in plain clothes near the Shalimar Bridge when he observed a subject land an oversized red drum.  The subject asked Officer H. Rockwell if he would take a photo of himself with his catch and send it to his phone. He then stated, "This one's going in the cooler...we're having redfish tonight."  A short time later, another subject landed an undersized flounder and multiple undersized Spanish mackerel.  Officer H. Rockwell called Officers P. Rockwell and Corbin to assist.  When the subjects began packing up their gear, Officer H. Rockwell announced himself as an FWC officer and conducted a fisheries inspection.  The inspection revealed a second oversized red drum.  Officers P. Rockwell and Corbin arrived on scene and two subjects were issued citations for possession of oversized red drum and undersized flounder.  Warnings were issued for possession of undersized Spanish mackerel.  The two red drum, five Spanish mackerel and flounder were seized as evidence.

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