FWC Division of Law Enforcement Weekly Highlights For Cases In Brevard County
By Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission // August 21, 2016
citations issued, arrestes made by FWC
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – The following report highlights some cases the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission handled in Brevard County over the past week, but does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement.
Officer Balgo and Lieutenant Lightsey were on patrol at Sebastian Inlet State Park on the Brevard County side. Officer Balgo walked to the end of the catwalk on the north side of Sebastian Inlet State Park and Lieutenant Lightsey began conducting fisheries inspections along the jetty.
Officer Balgo observed an individual attempting to discard fish as Lieutenant Lightsey was working his way towards him. An inspection revealed the individual was in possession of undersized mangrove snapper, and he admitted to attempting to discard the fish when he saw the officer because he knew they were undersized. The individual was issued a notice to appear for the violation.
Officers J. Humphrey, Balgo and Lieutenant Zamonis received a call in reference to some individuals possibly using large nets in the Indian River just west of Melbourne Beach.
Officers M. Humphrey and Hallsten, and United States Fish and Wildlife Officer Amoroso also heard the call and began heading to the location by vessel. The officers were able to make contact with the individuals using the nets. It was discovered that one individual was using a monofilament entangling net that was approximately 150 feet long.
It was later discovered that the individual also had a warrant out of New York for assault on a law enforcement officer and New York was going to extradite. The subject was placed under arrest and also charged with possession of a monofilament entangling net.
Officers Hadwin and Cybula were patrolling Sebastian Inlet State Park on a plain-clothes detail targeting cast net violations when they observed a vehicle parked in an area known to be used by individuals that cast net at night.
The officers observed a subject walking the shoreline using a cast net without the use of any light. When the subject returned to his vehicle, the officers conducted a resource inspection. The subject was in possession of four out-of-season and undersized snook that were harvested by illegal method. The subject was charged accordingly.
While on foot patrol at the Jetty Park Pier in Port Canaveral, Officer Lejarzar found a subject in possession of two scalloped hammerhead sharks measuring only 18 and 20 inches long. The subject admitted to catching the sharks and stated that he knew they were hammerheads, but he thought there were no regulations on sharks. He was issued a notice to appear for the violation.
While on patrol, Lieutenant Lightsey observed two men swimming along the edge of Sebastian Inlet. The men were wearing gloves and swimming masks. As one man dove down into the water, the other man appeared to act as a lookout nervously looking around.
Related Story:New At-Risk Vessel Law Helps Florida Fish and Wildlife Officials Manage Florida Waterways
Once the men had surfaced, they placed what appeared to be crabs in a white five-gallon bucket. After observing the men for some time, Lieutenant Lightsey made his way to their location, hid in a nearby brush line and continued to watch them. Lieutenant Lightsey later approached the men and conducted a resource inspection. Inside the white, five-gallon bucket were 58 whole stone crabs.
The following violations were discovered: possession of stone crab in whole condition, possession of stone crab out of season, possession of undersized stone crab claws, possession of egg-bearing stone crab, and no fishing license. It was discovered that one of the men had prior resource violations involving saltwater fish and knew the type of crabs he was currently taking. Numerous citations were issued to the men.
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