FWC report January 17

An illegal net violation highlighted the actions of Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission law enforcement officers during the first full week of the year.

Officers Jason Carroll and Matt Gore were working Apalachicola Bay between Jan 4 and 10 when they encountered two suspects who were commercial mullet fishing. After conducting surveillance, the officers stopped the subjects when they observed them hide a net. Subsequent investigation revealed the net was not marked, of an illegal mesh size, and greater than 500 square feet.

The two subjects were repeat offenders of resource violations. Both were cited for the violations and the net seized. Three hundred pounds of mullet were also seized.