On Sept.9, seven individuals were arrested by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers and charged with seven felonies and 21 misdemeanors related to the possession, use and size of monofilament nets, and possession of illegally harvested fish. The seven were observed harvesting fish with a monofilament net larger than Florida’s legal size of 500 square feet. It is unlawful to take or harvest, or to attempt to take or harvest, any marine life in Florida’s nearshore and inshore waters with any net containing more than 500 square feet of mesh area. The use of gill nets and other entangling nets of any size are prohibited in all Florida waters. FWC officers in Walton County responded to a report of several subjects deploying a monofilament net on Choctawhatchee Bay. The officers observed the individuals attempting to harvest fish with a large net for over an hour. The officers conducted an inspection, revealing a 599-square-foot monofilament entangling net staked in the water with multiple fish ensnared.
“This is the second monofilament entangling net case in as many weeks; fish are running, and folks are not playing by the rules,” said Maj. Robby Creech, FWC Northwest Region Commander.
“Fishing is not only a way of life around here, but also a livelihood. Poaching in this way causes a ripple effect on the resources and the community.”
For statute information pertaining to net fishing in Florida, visit FLrules.org and click on “Rule Chapter: 68B-4.”
Author: Sowal Editor
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