In a joint operation over two days, FWC Officers, NOAA Special Agents, and U.S. Coast Guard Boarding Officers inspected three commercial fishing vessels in Duval County, uncovering a slew of violations.
The first vessel lacked a valid saltwater products license (SPL), required to possess and sell saltwater products commercially. Officers also found 289 pounds over the legal limit of vermilion snapper, with 20 of those fish undersized. Citations were issued to the captain and crew for not having an SPL, possession of undersized fish, and exceeding the trip limit. The U.S. Coast Guard found expired safety equipment, including an emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) and survival craft.
The second vessel was found with 10 undersized vermilion snapper, resulting in citations for the captain, while Coast Guard officers noted expired safety equipment, including an EPIRB and non-serviceable fire extinguisher.
The third vessel faced the most severe violations: possessing 104 undersized vermilion snapper, three undersized gray triggerfish, and one undersized cobia. The crew had exceeded the 1,000-pound trip limit with over 1,100 pounds of vermilion snapper. The vessel also lacked the required sea turtle excluder gear, further escalating the severity of the offenses. All fisheries violations will be prosecuted by NOAA, while the Coast Guard also cited expired safety equipment, including an out-of-date life raft inspection.