This report represents some events the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) handled over the past week in Monroe County; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement.
WEEKLY REPORT
November 12-18, 2010
Officer Jason Rafter responded to an incident involving a capsized vessel in Card Sound. Several Miami men were recovered from the water, cold, but not injured.
The state sentenced several Hialeah residents to ten days in jail and ordered fines totaling close to $800 for a case Officer Jason Rafter investigated last September. Two fishermen had thirty over the bag limit of snapper, half were undersize.
WEEKLY REPORT
November 5-11, 2010
Investigators made several separate trap molestation cases this past week. One Investigator observed a commercial fisherman pulling three traps not belonging to him. The fisherman was arrested for felony trap molestation, felony trap theft, and misdemeanor improper display of commercial dive placard. In the second case, several fishermen were arrested for felony trap molestation and three misdemeanor violations for possession of 47 undersize lobster, no live well, and improper aerial display.
Officer Glen Way and Lieutenant Joe Scarpa conducted a fisheries inspection south of Ballast Key, resulting in a misdemeanor citation issued to a commercial fisherman for possession of 41 over the bag limit, undersize lobster to be used as attractants. The fisherman also received warnings for improper buoy display and a boating safety violation.
A local fisherman and his son were both convicted on major violations for possession
of 277 undersize lobster and possession of 310 wrung tails on the water, as well as misdemeanor interference with an FWC Officer for fleeing the scene in a vessel. The father was convicted in a jury trial and sentenced to nearly two years in prison, while the son, who pleaded guilty earlier, received a term of 18 months prison. The pair also received substantial fines and the father’s fishing license was revoked.