MILTON — The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission filed these cases between May 12 and 18 in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties:
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
- Officers Cushing and Land were on water patrol in Pensacola Bay and conducted a marine fisheries inspection on a small fishing vessel near a navigational buoy. Upon contacting the two persons on board, they said that they had a few lane snapper. An inspection revealed they were in possession of 17 juvenile red snapper, all of them measuring between six and 13 inches. This was possession of red snapper during closed season.
- Officers Allgood and Manning patrolled federal waters south of Pensacola and found five vessel operators in possession of red snapper during closed season. Federal citations were issued for the violations.
- Officer Long checked vessels as they returned to Navy Point Boat Ramp and found one individual in possession of 15 undersized red snapper and another individual in possession of an amberjack during closed season. Long issued notice-to-appear citations for the violations.
- Officer Manning received information that someone was selling seafood at a local flea market without a license. When he arrived, he found an individual selling blue crabs, shrimp and blue runners. The individual did not have a saltwater retail license or any records on where the fish were purchased. Notice-to-appear citations were issued for the violations.
- Officer McHenry was working in Perdido River Wildlife Management Area when he observed three individuals enter the area after hours. He approached the individuals in his patrol vehicle and turned his blue lights on. All three individuals fled the area on foot, but Officer McHenry caught up to one of the individuals. A notice-to-appear citation was issued for resisting arrest without violence, underage possession of alcohol and illegal entry into the WMA. The two other individuals were identified and warrants will be filed for their arrest.
SANTA ROSA COUNTY
- Investigator Molnar followed up on a complaint about a subject possibly killing over the bag limit of turkey during the 2017 spring season. After multiple interviews with several people, Molnar interviewed the subject. Following the interview, the subject confessed to killing five turkeys in Northwest Florida during the 2017 spring turkey season. Three sets of turkey spurs and beards were seized as evidence. Charges will be filed.
- While on patrol, Officer Mullins observed two individuals fishing the Garcon Point area. He conducted a fisheries/license inspection and one subject was unable to produce a fishing license or identification. The subject provided several different names and dates of birth. Despite the false information, Officer Mullins and FWC Dispatch discovered the subject's identity. It was revealed that the subject had an active warrant for probation violation. The subject was placed under arrest, booked into the Santa Rosa County Jail and issued citations for interference with an FWC officer and no fishing license.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Amberjack, red snapper possession among FWC incidents