| 20 January 2010
CHARLOTTE COUNTY
Officer Cohl encountered a fisherman on Boca Grande who had two snook on the ground, next to a large cooler. A filet was on top of the cooler. Further inspection revealed dip nets and more snook. A total of twenty snook were located, ten of which were undersize. Citations were issued to the individual for taking snook during closed season, undersize snook, possession of snook taken by illegal method and over the bag limit of snook. The fish were donated to Peace River Wildlife Rehabilitation Center
COLLIER COUNTY
Officers participated in the five day Collier County boat show, explaining rules and regulations, distributing educational materials, and raising awareness about the emergency season closure for snook, tarpon, and bonefish.
Officers Aaron DeVenuta and Marc Shea inspected two subjects who were observed fishing. One subject was arrested for possession of undersize, over the limit, and closed season snook. The subject had given the officers a false name but at the jail he was correctly identified by fingerprints. It was then discovered that he had an active federal arrest warrant issued against him.
FLAGLER COUNTY
Lieutenant Ben Allen and Officer Eric Meade responded to a complaint on the Intra Coastal Waterway in which a person was cast netting snook. When the officers arrived on scene, Flagler Beach Police Officers had detained a suspect who had cast netted four undersize snook. Officer Meade issued the suspect citations for taking snook during the closed season, taking snook by an illegal method and possession of undersize snook.
HERNANDO COUNTY
Officer Joshua Allison was dispatched to a call of several subjects trespassing on posted county property and keeping snook. Officer Allison arrived and found three subjects who had climbed a locked gate and fence. They were not found in possession of any snook; however they did not possess valid saltwater fishing licenses. Citations were issued to all three subjects.
HILLSBOROUGH COUNTY
Officer William Holcomb was in the area of Picnic Island conducting fisheries inspections, when he observed a subject fishing from the pier with a cast net. A fisheries inspection revealed that the subject had two snook in his possession and was subsequently charged with possession of snook during closed season, undersize snook, over the bag limit of snook, and taking snook by an illegal method.
LEE COUNTY
Officers Stephen Rice and K-9 Officer Matt Griffith were on land patrol near Old Burnt Store Road in Cape Coral when they observed two men fishing near the base of a bridge that crossed a spreader canal. A fisheries inspection revealed two snook fillets in a cooler. Citations were issued for possession of snook out of season and failure to possess a shoreline fishing license.
Officer Greg Bryson was conducting fisheries inspections on Fort Myers Beach when he observed two individuals fishing with a cast net. The individuals were approached and found to be in possession of four snook. The subjects were issued citations for undersize snook, possession of snook during closed season, taking snook by an illegal method and over the bag limit of snook. The fish were donated to a local animal shelter.
PINELLAS COUNTY
Officers Bryan Beeler and Dieter Iten were on land patrol near the Gateway Center canal in St. Petersburg, when they noticed two subjects fishing with a cast net. After the subjects were observed taking their catch to a vehicle parked nearby, the officers conducted a marine fisheries inspection, which revealed a 26 inch snook and a 44 inch snook. One subject admitted to the catch and was charged with catching snook out of season, taking snook by an illegal method, and possession of snook exceeding the size limit.
Officer George Wells received information regarding several individuals fishing with a cast net and catching snook in a canal near a Dunedin golf course. Officer Wells responded and found two subjects fishing at the location. When the subjects saw the officer, they walked away from several fish that were on the ground. Officer Wells approached the individuals and found six snook on the ground. When questioned, the subjects said they did not know what kind of fish they were. One subject was wet and started to develop hypothermia, so emergency medical personnel responded and treated the subject. The individuals were issued citations for harvest of snook by illegal methods, possession of snook during the closed season, and possession of undersize snook.
VOLUSIA COUNTY
Officer Darryl Thornhill received a call from an informant about two white males pulling their jon boat out of the Tomoka River at the State Road 40 Bridge in Ormond Beach. The informant advised that the two men had over 50 snook in their boat. Officer Thornhill arrived on scene within 30 minutes and met with Officer Jeff Beal, who had arrived shortly before Thornhill and secured the suspects. The officers found the men in possession of 74 snook, 55 of which were outside the legal slot limit, and a seven-foot gaff with which they harvested the stunned fish. Some of the snook were freshly dead and still bleeding from the gaff punctures. The two local men, 18 and 20 years old, admitted to harvesting the snook with the gaff and knowingly violating the size and bag limits and seasonal closure. Lieutenant Ben Eason and Officers Hickman and Boots arrived to assist Officers Thornhill and Beal with documenting and collecting the evidence. The two men were booked into the Volusia County Jail and charged with harvesting snook during the closed season, harvesting snook by illegal method, harvesting snook in violation of the slot limit, and exceeding the daily bag limit of snook. The unlawfully harvested fish were donated to the St. Augustine Alligator Farm.
Following complaints received, Officers Clay McDonough and Don Meurlot patrolled for people attempting to take lethargic snook from area waters. The officers located a vessel with two adult males in possession of five live snook. Criminal notices to appear were issued for the illegal possession of snook. The fish were photographed and released.
Later, the officers observed a vessel they had seen earlier and made contact with occupant. At first glance everything about the boat appeared normal. However, Officer Meurlot detected a strong odor of fish when standing next to the front of the boat and there appeared to be a variation in the floor height. Further investigation revealed three snook hidden beneath a false compartment. Two adult male occupants were issued citations for possession of snook out of season.
An operation was conducted involving a plainclothes investigator. Officers McDonough and Meurlot targeted local restaurants reported to be buying fish illegally from recreational fishermen. A restaurant manager was subsequently arrested for purchasing three snook and failing to purchase directly from a licensed wholesale dealer.
Officers Meurlot and McDonough observed two subjects off loading snook from a small boat and walking through the marsh in Spruce Creek under Interstate 95. Both adult males were subsequently issued citations for possession of snook out of season.
Officers Meurlot and McDonough made contact with a small aluminum boat with three adults on board who appeared to be dip netting snook. When approached, the operator fled the creek and entered the river. A Volusia County Sheriff’s Office helicopter responded and located the boat. FWC officers subsequently arrested the operator on the felony charge of attempting to flee and elude by vessel, interfering with an FWC officer, and an outstanding arrest warrant for disorderly conduct.
Officer Kelly Kazmierczak was on patrol near the High Bridge and observed two adult males on the west shore of the Intracoastal Waterway. An inspection of their containers resulted in a citation issued to one of the individuals for possession of snook out of season.
Officers McDonough and James Yetter were on patrol in the New Smyrna Beach area when they checked a fishing pier with two adult males using cast nets. The two stated they hadn't caught any fish. When the officers checked the trash can next to them, a white sack was located inside with three live snook. Both individuals admitted they cast netted the slow moving snook. They were issued citations for possession of snook out of season and harvest of snook by illegal method. The fish were released alive back to the water.
