FWC Division of Law Enforcement Weekly Highlights For Cases In Brevard County

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

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 Barghouty observed an individual cast netting just west of the A1A Bridge while patrolling at Sebastian Inlet State Park. When the individual returned to his vehicle, he was observed hiding a bucket under the center of his vehicle. A resource inspection was conducted and the officer discovered two undersized snook taken with a cast net. The individual also did not have a valid saltwater fishing license or snook stamp. Appropriate law enforcement action was taken for the harvest of two undersized snook using an illegal method.

■ Officer Wild observed several individuals cast netting into Canal 54 of Stick Marsh Critical Wildlife Area. After conducting a resource inspection on individuals in possession of a nearby bucket, he located several redear sunfish (gamefish) on a stringer. The individuals were cited for illegal method of taking freshwater gamefish.

■ Officer Specialist Delano observed several vehicles accessing a closed area and conducted stops to address the violations. Several individuals were cited for being in the closed area. While patrolling the same area, the officer identified two vehicles parked further down a restricted access road within the closed area. The subjects were cast netting. A resource inspection was conducted, and Officer Delano observed gamefish species in a bucket nearby. The subjects stated they just caught them in the net and were planning to release them. Officer Delano inspected their cooler and observed large quantities of fish within the cooler and additionally in a concealed trash bag. The subjects had cast netted several Florida bass, crappie, and bluegill. The individuals received citations for illegally harvesting freshwater game species and driving down closed roads.

■ Officers Beck, St. Martin and Ross responded to information regarding commercial shrimp trawlers that were trawling at night in state waters, which is a violation of Florida law. Officer Beck then contacted Officers St. Martin and Ross for assistance. While patrolling at night, the officers observed a large shrimp trawler working close to shore with its nets deployed. Once the officers verified the vessel was trawling, they stopped it to conduct a resource inspection. Officers St. Martin and Ross boarded the vessel and documented the nets in the water. A further inspection revealed the crew was keeping oversized snook that were caught in their shrimp nets. The captain and crew were cited accordingly.

■ Officer St. Martin responded to information regarding a subject possessing an undersized snook at Sebastian Inlet State Park. Officer St. Martin located the subject and conducted a resource inspection. Initially, the subject admitted to catching snook but stated he released them. Further inspection of the subject’s cooler revealed he was still in possession of one undersized snook. The subject was cited accordingly.

■ Officer St. Martin was on patrol at Sebastian Inlet State Park when he observed several people cast netting along the mangroves. Officer St. Martin waited for the subjects to return to the parking lot. Once they did, he observed them quickly return to their vehicle and place their coolers and equipment in the back of it. At this time, Officer St. Martin contacted the subjects to conduct a resource inspection. The subjects told Officer St. Martin they only went for a swim. However, an inspection of the coolers they had just placed in their vehicle revealed an undersized stone crab in whole condition. The subjects were cited accordingly.

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