FWC Division of Law Enforcement Weekly Highlights For Cases In Brevard County
By Space Coast Daily // November 22, 2023
Spread the love– 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.
While on land patrol, Officer Specialist Rasey responded to a Wildlife Alert report associated with subjects taking illegal fish in a nearby federal refuge. Once on scene, he spoke to two individuals and found they had taken seven undersized gray snapper. When asked about the fish, the subjects said weren’t sure what kind of species they had. Both subjects were issued citations and given a saltwater regulation guide for future reference. The anonymous complainant was documented and is now eligible for reward through the Wildlife Alert program .
Officer Specialist Barry and Officer Moran were on water patrol on the St. Johns River working the Georgia/Florida football game. Officer Moran observed a vessel violating the manatee zone downtown and initiated a vessel stop. Officer Moran conducted a vessel safety inspection and observed the operator showed signs of impairment. Officer Moran conducted a boating under the influence investigation and based on the totality of the circumstances, the operator was placed under arrest for boating under the influence. The operator provided a breath sample that was over the legal limit for blood alcohol concentration. A citation was also issued for violation of the manatee zone.
Officer Snyder responded to a call of two individuals keeping illegal fish at Veterans Memorial Park. Officer Snyder located the individuals and found three undersized redfish and five undersized trout in two separate coolers. The individuals were cited accordingly.
Officer Specialist Marroquin and Officer Rivard were on patrol when they observed signs along the roadway advertising saltwater products for sale. The officers contacted a subject on the side of the road who was selling shrimp. A resource inspection revealed he did not have the proper licensing to sell saltwater products to the public. The induvial was cited accordingly.
While on patrol at Freddie Patrick Park Boat Ramp, Officer Specialist Balgo and Officer Osborn conducted a resource inspection on an incoming vessel. One occupant was found to be in possession of a speared cobia that was under the minimum size limit. The violation was addressed accordingly. During a separate interaction the officers conducted a resource inspection on another incoming vessel. Two occupants of the vessel were found to be in possession of five undersized mutton snapper and that violation was addressed accordingly. Finally, the officers conducted a resource inspection on a third incoming vessel. Two occupants of the vessel were found to be in possession of five undersized mutton snapper. That violation was also addressed accordingly.
Officer Specialist Balgo received information that an individual illegally harvested a wild turkey at Three Lakes Wildlife Management Area. Officer Balgo located the individual and harvested wild turkey. In addition, the individual also failed to log and report the harvested wild turkey . The individual was cited accordingly.
While on patrol, Officer Specialist Rasey observed two subjects fishing when one of them caught a small fish and put it in a bucket. A resource inspection later revealed several undersized gray snapper. When asked, both individuals advised they were unaware of what kind of fish they had, fishing regulations in general, and that they needed a saltwater license to take saltwater species. Citations were issued to both subjects. The officer provided the subjects with a fishing regulation booklet.
