Lobster poachers taken into custody in Miami-Dade by FWC
by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on 10 Jun 2013
Wrung lobster tails Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
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Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) law enforcement officers took two men into custody June 2 for poaching spiny lobsters in Miami-Dade County. The men illegally possessed 468 wrung lobster tails. Officers arrested Javiel Vergel (DOB 04/29/76) and Eriel Menendez Casanas (DOB 01/20/74), both of Hialeah, for a multitude of misdemeanor charges, including possession of lobster tails out of season. They grossly exceeded the daily bag limit of six lobsters per person per day, which is in effect during the regular lobster season: Aug. 6 through March 31. Also, lobster must remain in whole condition. Separating the tail from the body before bringing the lobster ashore is prohibited. Of the illegally harvested lobsters, 283 were also undersized, and one was an egg-bearing female. Egg-bearing female lobsters are always illegal to harvest in Florida. The men also possessed one undersized stone crab claw and one queen conch. Stone crab season is currently closed, and queen conch are illegal to possess in state waters. The FWC received information from a local law enforcement agency regarding two men acting suspiciously while loading a boat onto a trailer at the Watson Island boat ramp. When the officers investigated further, they discovered a garbage bag full of lobster tails. FWC officers responded to the scene and conducted a fisheries inspection. They discovered more grocery bags full of spiny lobster tails stowed in various compartments on the vessel. 'The possession of more than 450 illegally harvested lobster tails is a serious violation,' said FWC Maj. Alfredo Escanio, regional commander. 'This incident demonstrates how strong working relationships with other law enforcement agencies can help the FWC protect our natural resources. The FWC will work to catch any individuals, like these, who purposely violate the rules and regulations in place to protect these precious resources.'
FWC website
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