FWC Officers Discover Pottery Violations

Officers from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Division of Law Enforcement last month came upon three people digging in state waters who appeared to be in violation of both pot, and Indian pottery, laws.

On April 20, Officer Charlie Wood observed three individuals digging in the waters of the state near Turkey Point. Wood set up a surveillance position in the woods adjacent to the individuals and watched as they probed and dug along the shoreline. He then approached the individuals and asked what they were collecting from the water.

Rocks and shark's teeth were the answers given to the officer but a search revealed one of the subjects was in possession of 43 shards of Indian pottery. Another subject was found to be in possession of less than 20 grams of cannabis.

Both individuals were issued citations with possible felony charges pending on the subject with the Indian pottery.

On April 25, Lt. Rama Shuster, Investigator Charlie Chafin and Officer Faris Livesay were on patrol on the offshore patrol vessel "Sea Hawk." At 11 p.m., the commercial fishing vessel "Hammerhead" was boarded, approximately 45 miles southwest of Carrabelle.

A fisheries inspection revealed possession of undersized red grouper, vermillion snapper and gag grouper, and red snapper not in whole condition. The fish were seized and a federal citation issued.