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Wildlife Mobster Arrested on Snapper Charges in Islamorada

florida snappersA 37-year-old Hialeah man accused of poaching snappers Friday, Nov. 27, while fishing from a bridge was arrested by a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officer. The man was charged with possession of undersized yellowtail snapper, possession of undersized mangrove snapper and possession of undersized schoolmaster snapper, all of which put him over the bag limit for snapper as per state law. All the charges are misdemeanors.

The officer was on land patrol near the Indian Key Channel Bridge when he noticed several people fishing in what was described as an “odd location,” but FWC reports did not specifically state where they were. As the officer was inspecting their catch, he noticed one person catch a fish and put it in the cooler before he reportedly noticed the officer. He then tossed the fish back in the water, reports state. When the officer asked the man how many fish he caught, the man responded that he had kept none.

The officer asked to look in several coolers and buckets, but the man was reluctant to allow him, reports state. When the officer inspected all the coolers and buckets, he reportedly found the fish. The man was taken to the Plantation Key jail. He was released that same day after posting $1,417 bail, according to jail records. He has no prior criminal history in Monroe County.

Don’t become a Wildlife Mobster. Visit these sites to learn about wildlife regulations in the Florida Keys.

http://myfwc.com/media/3058591/Salt_Regs_Quickchart.pdf

http://myfwc.com/media/2692509/Lobster_Brochure.pdf

http://myfwc.com/media/1483467/Lobster_Brochure_Spearfishing.pdf

http://floridakeys.noaa.gov/permits/lionfish.html

Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary Regulations

With certain exceptions, the following activities are prohibited sanctuary-wide:

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