SOUTH REGION Weekly Violations
SOUTH REGION A
BROWARD COUNTY
On August 16, Officer Robert Kuester was on water patrol when he observed two subjects diving from a kayak. Officer Kuester secured his vessel and returned to the beach where the subjects had launched. An inspection of their catch revealed an undersized lobster. The subjects were cited and the lobster was returned to the water.
On August 17, Officers William Carpenter and Paul Mendez and Lieutenant Dave Bingham were at the Area 2 boat ramp when they observed a subject feeding alligators Goldfish crackers. The subject stated she preferred using marshmallows but didn’t have any. Officer Mendez issued her a citation for the violation.
GLADES COUNTY
On August 17, Lieutenant Eddie Brown was patrolling Lake Okeechobee for violations associated with the alligator hunt. Around 3:30 a.m., Lieutenant Brown caught two subjects hunting outside their assigned harvest area. They were hunting in the Lakeport area although they were supposed to be in the north zone. They admitted they were trying to harvest a twelve foot alligator. At 5:30 a.m., Lieutenant Brown observed another vessel whose occupants were hunting out of their assigned area. The three subjects received citations.
PALM BEACH COUNTY
On August 20, an employee of a local wildlife sanctuary reported the escape of a lion and tiger from their enclosure. The employee reported she had observed the lion still on the premises, but had not the tiger. Subsequently, the lion was tranquilized and recaptured. The tiger was then discovered minutes later at the other end of the property and also tranquilized. The animals were secured and the enclosure repaired to ensure no further escapes would take place. FWC investigators thoroughly inspected the rest of the property for compliance with applicable regulations.
SOUTH REGION B
COLLIER COUNTY
Officer Shawn Polly observed a subject utilizing several “bush hooks” along a canal in Naples. The subject was checked and found to be in possession of 53 bush hooks but no commercial freshwater fishing license. The subject was familiar with the regulations and even had an application for a commercial license with him. All 53 hooks were seized.
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY
A pair of Mercury 225 horsepower, four-stoke outboard motors were recently forfeited to FWC pursuant to the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act. The seizure, investigation and forfeiture were handled by area investigators after observation of suspicious circumstances at a local boat ramp. A criminal investigation of the boat owner is being handled by a federal law enforcement agency.
MONROE COUNTY
Officers were busy preparing for the arrival of Tropical Storm Fay.
