Three men from Davie, Florida, are now facing multiple charges after being caught with a significant number of spiny lobsters during a period when lobster harvesting is not permitted. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers made the arrests on Sunday in Islamorada, a time falling after the lobster mini-season but before the official season starting today, as reported by NBC Miami.
Upon inspection, wildlife officers found two coolers harboring 53 spiny lobsters illegally obtained by Alfred Gregorio Gregorio, 34, Marcos Hernandez Gregorio, 28, and Ovidio Sales Gregorio, 24, who had also run afoul of regulations by employing spearfishing tactics where they are not allowed, this method of catch and the capture of undersized fish compounding their legal woes. The FWC emphasized that certain fishing methods, including the use of spearguns and spearfishing in the Upper Keys, are strictly banned to safeguard marine ecosystems and ensure that these resources endure for future generations.
The ramifications of their actions are not insignificant, with each of the three men charged with 37 misdemeanors related to their transgressions. Monroe County Area Captain Adam Garrison noted the importance of the collaboration between local enforcement and officers, stating, "Our officers work closely with our local law enforcement partners in Monroe County to protect our natural resources," in a statement highlighted by WSVN.
