Lobster poaching starts early

[Wookie]

Man cited during lobster mini season

A 53-year-old lobster mini season double-tripper was issued a mandatory citation to appear in court early Wednesday afternoon after the Sheriff’s Office received a tip from a concerned citizen.

Octavian Cotoranu of Naples, Florida was cited for having four over-the-limit lobsters.

The Sheriff’s Office received an email from a citizen stating the suspect was seen making two trips out of Eden Pines Canal in Big Pine Key. The suspect was staying on Rose Drive and a picture was attached to the email.

Lower Keys Lt. Dennis Coleman and Det. Wendy Negron responded to Rose Drive about 1 p.m. and found the suspect, identified as Cotoranu. Lt. Coleman and Det. Negron explained the complaint they received. Cotoranu admitted to taking lobsters and gave permission for a search. Two plastic bags of lobster tails were found in a freezer. There was a total of 10 tails. Cotoranu admitted to taking the 10 lobsters, adding he thought he could take 12. The legal limit in the Florida Keys is six per person.

He was issued a mandatory appearance in court.

Those in violation of wildlife laws can face fines as high as $500.

 

[Wookie]

And now for the nice!

Lower Keys Marine Deputy Seth Hopp reports that he stopped this vessel near Picnic Island Wednesday during the 2018 Lobster mini season.

Deputy Hopp happily added the group had their limit of lobster on board and were all in compliance! The little future deputy is Tristan Jr.! Deputy Hopp reports Tristan (and his family out of Little Torch Key were) having a fun, safe and compliant day!

Stay cool, Tristan!

 

[kelemvor]

@kelemvor

Why laminate?
Great work !

Your posters appear great but need one tweak

FYI;
Since 1960 the official recognized proportions of the red & white dive flag has been;
4 units high X 5 units wide X ONE UNIT WHITE DIAGONAL STRIPE

Might want to adjust your picture accordingly

Good luck !

SAM

As others have mentioned, it rains almost every day here in summer/fall. Sometimes several inches in a half an hour.
Some boat launches have a nice enclosed glass case for the bulletin board. Others use a sheet of plywood nailed to some 4x4's. Every launch I've used has some sort of board, primarily to notify boaters of some regulation or another. Often there's a poster talking about birds getting used fishing line or about watching for manatees. Lamination will make the signs last much longer at the more basic sites.

 

[Wookie]

Total 2018 Lobster Mini Season law enforcement figures

This is only the collective information from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office. It does not include figures from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Key West Police Department, Key Colony Beach Police, the United States Coast Guard or our other partners.

COUNTYWIDE for BOTH DAYS
• Vessel stops: 377
• Arrests: 3
• Citations: 75
• Warnings: 142

2018 Lobster Mini Season law enforcement figures for Wednesday

Key Largo
• Vessel stops: 24
• Arrests: None
• Citations: 3
• Warnings: 22

Islamorada
• Vessel stops: 46
• Arrests: None
• Citations: 13
• Warnings: 4

Middle Keys
• Vessel stops: 92
• Arrests: 1
• Citations: 28
• Warnings: 54

Lower Keys
• Vessel stops: 33
• Arrests: None
• Citations: 4
• Warnings: 2

Monroe County Wednesday Total:
• Vessel stops: 195
• Arrests: 1
• Citations: 48
• Warnings: 82

2018 Lobster Mini Season law enforcement figures for Thursday

Key Largo
• Vessel stops: 11
• Arrests: None
• Citations: None
• Warnings: 11

Islamorada
• Vessel stops: 45
• Arrests: None
• Citations: 12
• Warnings: 8

Middle Keys
• Vessel stops: 83
• Arrests: None
• Citations: 12
• Warnings: 36

Lower Keys
• Vessel stops: 43
• Arrests: 2
• Citations: 3
• Warnings: 5

Monroe County Thursday Total:
• Vessel stops: 182
• Arrests: 2
• Citations: 27
• Warnings: 60

 

[Diver Dave1]

Perhaps if when someone got to a certain number of citations at one time they should have their boat/trailer impounded. If their boat and trailer were impounded, they would likely appear in court when instructed. Pick a number, 5 per person or 10 total for the boat occupants? Not saying they do not get the boat back but that seems not unreasonable at some point.

Some seemed to imply these were poor people. Poor people do not drive from SC to FL to find food. They do not own a spear or a boat nor the money to rent one. Poor people I know work hard to try and put something better than beans on the dinner table and do not always succeed.

 

[MaxBottomtime]

 

[Johnoly]

Perhaps if when someone got to a certain number of citations at one time they should have their boat/trailer impounded......

That's why the laws were changed 2 years ago. It used to be so difficult to convince a judge to 'forfeiture' boats, gear, etc that the LEO's quit trying. Now with the new laws there is no/little discretion room for sentencing. If you have multiple lobster infractions, You're going to jail.

Poor people I know work hard to try and put something better than beans on the dinner table and do not always succeed.....

Justice is Blind........Rich / Poor / Resident / Vacationer / Man / Woman / Boat / Raft / etc. There is no acceptable excuse.

 

[tomfcrist]

Is that unusual? Do many divers die during the season? I assume it’s amateur hour with many infrequent divers in the water.

There are usually a few deaths during mini season....usually either heart attacks or dumb drunk boaters running divers/snorklers.

 

[Dan G]

Come folks lighten up, these are not criminals or "poachers", these folks are simply poor, undocumented early harvesters who are taking the critters that the rest of us won't take.....

You have it all wrong. These folks are freedom loving Americans being strongarmed by the government with regulation. Why not just let the free market take care of this rather than burdensome regulations written by some bureaucrat?

 

[Wookie]

You have it all wrong. These folks are freedom loving Americans being strongarmed by the government with regulation. Why not just let the free market take care of this rather than burdensome regulations written by some bureaucrat?

Just as soon as we get that toll booth installed....