FWC Law Enforcement: Shark-related Reports, July 8 to August 25, 2016

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ( FWC )
Division of Law Enforcement

Weekly Report
July 22 through July 28, 2016

FRANKLIN COUNTY

Officers Nelson, Robb and Miller were working complaints of shark finning in St. George Island State Park, and while Officers Nelson and Robb were on foot patrol they observed an individual catch a shark and remove its head and tail. Officer Robb called on Officer Miller to check the individual and upon inspection, Officer Miller observed the individual was in possession of three cut-up sections of shark, one undersized red drum, one undersized spotted seatrout and one undersized flounder. Citations were issued to the individual for the violations.

Weekly Report
August 5 through August 11, 2016

SANTA ROSA COUNTY

While on patrol in Blackwater Bay, Officers Land and Lewis conducted a fisheries inspection of a vessel they saw actively fishing. There were two men on board and when asked about their catch, the captain of the vessel said they had caught some mullet and a sandbar shark. Upon inspection, the officers located the head of a small bull shark. All sharks must be landed in whole condition, and bull sharks must measure at least 54 inches to the fork of their tail. The captain of the vessel was issued a notice to appear for the violation.

BREVARD COUNTY

While on foot patrol at the Jetty Park Pier in Port Canaveral, Officer Lejarzar found a subject in possession of two scalloped hammerhead sharks measuring only 18 and 20 inches long. The subject admitted to catching the sharks and stated that he knew they were hammerheads, but he thought there were no regulations on sharks. He was issued a notice to appear for the violation.

Please see previous cases HERE.

Source: FWC