Consequences in Fla for taking Queen Conchs

Sierra_Bravo · Jul 19, 2018

Young lady from Texas found out the Florida Wildlife Commission is serious about collecting conchs:

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/florida-keys/article215027715.html

Fortunately there are generous allowances for other marine life:

http://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/aquarium-species/

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Antics · Jul 19, 2018

Don't mess with FWC in Florida. They have an insane amount of power when it comes to illegal collection.

Sierra_Bravo · Jul 19, 2018

Antics said:
Don't mess with FWC in Florida. They have an insane amount of power when it comes to illegal collection.

I've seen them impound boat, trailer, and truck at the boat ramp for undersized lobster during mini season. They don't write warnings. . .

Crabs McJones · Jul 19, 2018

This is why whenever someone posts about going out and taking stuff off of the beach, the general consensus is no, dont do it.

Antics · Jul 19, 2018

Sierra_Bravo said:
I've seen them impound boat, trailer, and truck at the boat ramp for undersized lobster during mini season. They don't write warnings. . .

Definitely. Anytime I'm fishing anything even close to limit gets tossed. FWC stopping your boat isn't a game.

Kyl · Jul 19, 2018

Wish my area took as strict a stance at the people poaching from our local waters.

User1 · Jul 19, 2018

Sierra_Bravo said:
Young lady from Texas found out the Florida Wildlife Commission is serious about collecting conchs:

https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/florida-keys/article215027715.html

Fortunately there are generous allowances for other marine life:

http://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/recreational/aquarium-species/

.

You know the world has gong to hell in a hand basket when the Fish and Wildlife pack that type of body armor and weapons. Not to mention a body cam. Whoever that was they stopped wonder if any of them are alive, able to be released, and for Pete's sake what the heck are they using them for? Soup?????

cracker · Jul 19, 2018

The Lady claims she didn't know. She was possibly taking them home to eat! Conch Is really tasty if prepared properly . Iv'e lived in Florida for over 40 years. The fish& Game officers don't fool around. Whether in the woods or on the water . Big time these days. so have your license & nothing illegal they are cool. If you collect anything in Fl waters You better be sure it's OK to do so. They have to be tough. So many vacationers come down & take stuff. They just don't realize that if all of them take just one animal, has a huge impact on Mother Nature .

saltyhog · Jul 19, 2018

The article said that she was going to clean them out and give them for gifts. It also said most of them were alive and able to be released.

jda · Jul 19, 2018

Those folks encounter gun and drug runners and all kinds of other peril that people from other states would not even dream about. It is not an easy job when you potentially have to stop and board another boat.

cracker · Jul 19, 2018

saltyhog said:
It also said most of them were alive and able to be released.

This is good to hear !

ZoWhat · Jul 19, 2018

Dang....15 days in jail and roughly $1000 in fines.....

How is she any worse than guys who charter fishing boats for hundreds of dollars to fish big game like Marlin, Tarpon, Yellow fin tuna?

I'll tell you why..... a good "cut" of that charter $$$ goes back into the State of Florida in taxes and licensing fees.

As long as the State of Florida gets their $$$ on $$$ to be-had....they are happy as clams. Collect smthg that they don't get a $$$ cut of, all kind of State SUVs show up with guys in uniforms

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mtfish · Jul 20, 2018

I am good with the jail time but the fine should have been much higher. We have state game wardens here in Texas. I work closely with several of them. Not an easy job for sure. Saying you didn't know the law, they should double the fines for just being stupid! In Texas, there would have been a fine for each live item taken illegally. I do not like thieves or poachers.

Billdogg · Jul 20, 2018

Ignorance of the law has never been an excuse.

As for the body armor - about 25 years ago a friend of mine became a Florida Fish and Wildlife officer and truly loved her job. She was found in the everglades, shot and left by poachers. AFAIK, they are still in prison. RIP Peggy!