Fwc division of law enforcement - Florida Fish and Wildlife ...

POLK COUNTY
Near Lake Wales, Officers James Adams and Robert Adams conducted a fisheries
inspection when they observed a subject carrying a stringer of bass from the lake to his
vehicle. Of the seven bass on the stringer, four were under the legal size limit of 14-inches.
The subject was cited for possession of undersized black bass and received warnings for
taking over the daily bag limit for bass and for not having a fishing license.
SARASOTA COUNTY
Officer Evan Laskowski received information regarding a person who shot a snook while
spearfishing in the Gulf of Mexico near Longboat Key. Officer Laskowski located the
individual carrying a dive bag. The officer conducted a fisheries inspection and found a
spear gun and a snook that measured 33 inches inside the bag. The subject stated that he
shot the snook, thinking it was a sheepshead. After he shot it, he decided to keep it. The
subject was cited for taking snook during the closed season and taking snook by an illegal
method.
Investigator Scott Kirsch and Officers William Holcomb, Louis Hinds, Eric Sierra, and Joel
Buckson conducted a detail in response to complaints of underage drinking and the use of
illegal drugs in the Venice area. The detail resulted in 16 citations issued for possession of
alcohol by a person under 21 years of age, possession of cannabis, less than 20 grams and
possession of undersized red grouper.
SOUTH REGION A
BROWARD COUNTY
Near Port Everglades Officer Asa Dias was on water patrol when he observed a subject
fishing from the shoreline using a Yo-Yo. The subject caught several small fish and tossed
them behind some rocks. Officer Dias secured his patrol vessel and made contact with the
individual. The subject had a bucket with many species of small fish including nine
undersized lane snapper ranging from four to seven inches and did not possess the
required fishing license. The subject was issued a citation for the undersized fish and a
warning for no saltwater fishing license.
Broward and some Dade County Officers participated in “Operation Wave the Flag” which
was part of 2012’s Dive Flag Awareness program spearheaded by Lieutenant Dave
Bingham. The operation included local coastal police agencies, sheriff’s departments, and
the U.S. Coast Guard throughout south Florida. The officers utilized laser range finders to
target vessels coming too close to divers on Saturday and concentrated their efforts on
divers themselves on Sunday. Citations were issued for dive flag display violations and for
undersized grouper and hogfish violations.