BHB 12/20 poaching...what gives?

[djtimmy77]

My buddy and I dove the west part of the blue heron bridge yesterday afternoon, and out near the end we saw a guy with a collecting bag (collecting is prohibited at the BHB.) He motions as if he wants to show off his catch, which is a juvenile angel fish and a very small lobster. I motion him to the surface and on the surface I tell him that the lobster is illegaly small. He says "Oh, it is for my fish tank" so I tell him it doesn't matter and that it is still illegal.

My question is this...how do we stop these people from continuing this activity? What is the appropriate thing to do in this situation? Should I report this to the FWC?

 

[Matteo]

Yes. While I'm not familiar enough with the rules and regs of that area, if I saw a similar situation and I knew for a fact it was illegal, I wouldn't hesitate to end my dive, head for shore, and pick up the phone.

 

[sunapeebob]

Here in New England, undersized lobster are the issue. People repeatedly taking undersized lobster have been fined, cars and equipment confiscated, etc. I see some divers taking lobster and then measuring at their car - also illegal. I have yet to contact the authorities, but would not hesitate if I found someone unwilling to listen and correct their behavior.

Bob

 

[deepstops]

The park rangers still won't enforce PB County Parks and Recreation Ordinance # 2004-022, Section 7(B) that states: No person shall remove, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, hunt, chase, shoot, or throw any object at any animal....

He was also violating lobster laws by taking an undersized specimen.

For the dive community to stop this, we need to be willing to end your dive and call FWC at 888-404-3922 and report them.

 

[DebbyDiver]

For the dive community to stop this, we need to be willing to end your dive and call FWC at 888-404-3922 and report them.

Thank you, Brian. That number is in my cell phone. I urge the rest of you to get your cell phone, right now, and program the FWC (Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission) into your contacts.

 

[djtimmy77]

Thanks for the phone number, I now have it in my phone.

 

[Shcubasteve]

I agree that taking short lobsters is poaching! That guy should be ashamed!!! I know I will take flack for this but I disagree with banning collecting tropical fish at BHB! I will say that if recreational fishing is allowed in the same area, other types of fishing (collecting ornamental tropical) should be allowed also. What better way is there to share our underwater world then a marine aquarium?? I would suggest we attempt to limit the gear and bag limits for the collection of tropical; hand-held nets are the least stressful for fish and should be the only method of collecting. Slurp tubes and seining nets should be outlawed. Also, an aggregate limit of 20 fish per person!! That IS outrageous! I’m thinking more like 5 or less total fish. I will continue to collect only what I need and nothing more, leaving any species protected by law. If I have to defend my opinion at the bridge I will.
Consult RECREATIONAL HARVESTING INFORMATION FOR MARINE LIFE SPECIES for more information.

There are regulations against taking any tropical ornamental that is larger then 2”. Here is a direct quote from FWC’s website:
“Closed Areas: The harvest of these species is generally allowed wherever recreational fishing is allowed. However, the harvest of marine life species or the use of the gear allowed to take these species may be limited or prohibited in state or federal parks, national wildlife refuges, and portions of the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary. Interested persons should contact those park areas for further information.
Prohibited Species: All harvest is prohibited of the following species:
Live rock, Bahama starfish (Oreaster reticulatis), longspine urchin (Diadema antillarum), Venus sea fan (Gorgonia flabellum), common sea fan (Gorgonia ventalina), any hard or stony coral (Order Scleractinia), or any fire coral (Genus Millepora).
Allowable Harvesting Gear:
 Hand Collection.
 "Hand held net," means a landing or dip net, except that a portion of the bag may be constructed of clear plastic material, rather than mesh.
 "Barrier net," also known as a "fence net," means a seine used beneath the surface of the water by a diver to enclose and concentrate tropical fish and which may be made of either nylon or monofilament.
 "Drop net," means a small, usually circular, net with weights attached along the outer edge and a single float in the center, used by a diver to enclose and concentrate tropical fish.
 "Slurp gun" means a self-contained, handheld device that captures tropical fish by rapidly drawing seawater containing such fish into a closed chamber. “

 

[Divergirl4U]

For the dive community to stop this, we need to be willing to end your dive and call FWC at 888-404-3922 and report them.

Thank you this number is now in my cell phone :cool2:

 

[Captain Larry]

Great tip getting everyone to put the Fish and Wildlife number on your cells. There probably isn't a month that goes by when they don't get at least one call from me or my crew regarding people fishing in prohibited areas, run aground on the reef, or something else stupid and illegal.

 

[deepstops]

The park rangers still won't enforce PB County Parks and Recreation Ordinance # 2004-022, Section 7(B) that states: No person shall remove, molest, harm, frighten, kill, trap, hunt, chase, shoot, or throw any object at any animal....

He was also violating lobster laws by taking an undersized specimen.

For the dive community to stop this, we need to be willing to end your dive and call FWC at 888-404-3922 and report them.

I know I will take flack for this but I disagree with banning collecting tropical fish at BHB! I will say that if recreational fishing is allowed in the same area, other types of fishing (collecting ornamental tropical) should be allowed also.

The bottom line is Palm Beach has an ordinance already on the books that makes it illegal.

Further, I think your comparison is apples and oranges. There's a big difference between putting fish on the family dinner table and collecting seahorses for one's aquarium.