wonder if FWC would be interested in that video.
Blue Heron Bridge Trolls
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FWC was on the beach in their boat writing tickets to people swimming, snorkeling and diving there without flags.
It's hard to get out and call them when you have to park at a bank down the street due to lack of parking when you never seem to get there on time for a good spot
I'd pay $10 entry fee if that would pay for permanent FWC patrol...
It's hard to get out and call them when you have to park at a bank down the street due to lack of parking when you never seem to get there on time for a good spot
I'd pay $10 entry fee if that would pay for permanent FWC patrol...
lindai
Registered
Even worse, he was shooting angelfish and later trying to sell them to the fishermen on the pier, and even got one taker until he figured out they weren't edible. He said he is there every day hunting! Someone needs to catch him at it and report him.
I've seen this same guy spearfishing there before, killing spadefish.
Absolutely crazy!
I've seen this same guy spearfishing there before, killing spadefish.
Absolutely crazy!
Ok.. so.. he's shooting in an area that is illegal..no spearing 300 ft. from a bridge, I believe is what the law states. then he is shooting angelfish, a protected species. Whoo.. This guy needs to be stopped. Wonder if he even has a license...
mscott556
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Wow, hope he gets busted
dumpsterDiver
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Well if he is doing this habitually, somebody should tell the FWC.
He left the site on a small white Dingy which he rowed and I don't believe had an engine. He moored his boat along the western facing seawall of the island; maybe 75 feet south of the bridge itself.
With a photo, a description and the knowledge that he is most likely going to be at this location a little prior to high tide .... it shouldn't be that hard to intercept him. I did not see him use a dive flag either. I saw him aim for and mis a shot on a fish which is not legal to spear. I did not see him take any fish on this occasion, but I moved away from him after I documented that he was informed of the legality of it and chose to re-load the gun.
If he is habitually breaking several laws, they may be more willing to be proactive in this situation. In addition, there are an awfully large number of divers in that area during certain times and to use a gun there during those periods, is particularly unwise from a safety perspective.
He left the site on a small white Dingy which he rowed and I don't believe had an engine. He moored his boat along the western facing seawall of the island; maybe 75 feet south of the bridge itself.
With a photo, a description and the knowledge that he is most likely going to be at this location a little prior to high tide .... it shouldn't be that hard to intercept him. I did not see him use a dive flag either. I saw him aim for and mis a shot on a fish which is not legal to spear. I did not see him take any fish on this occasion, but I moved away from him after I documented that he was informed of the legality of it and chose to re-load the gun.
If he is habitually breaking several laws, they may be more willing to be proactive in this situation. In addition, there are an awfully large number of divers in that area during certain times and to use a gun there during those periods, is particularly unwise from a safety perspective.
trigfunctions
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Thank you for filming this and posting it! Someone should post it over on Spearboard as well.
Reck Diver
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FWC was on the beach in their boat writing tickets to people swimming, snorkeling and diving there without flags.
It's hard to get out and call them when you have to park at a bank down the street due to lack of parking when you never seem to get there on time for a good spot
I'd pay $10 entry fee if that would pay for permanent FWC patrol...
Boaters already pay an annual parking permit fee and that hasn't helped us with FWC patrol. Though I agree if a park use fee is there for one group, it should be there for all.
I think the problem might be if any laws are being broken. If the water he is in is not part of Phil Foster Park, and fishing is not permitted from the bridge above, and he is not within 100 yards of a public swimming beach, then spearfishing could very well be legal. Of course that means spearfishing of legal species. Here's the link to the FWC. If I'm missing something let me know.
Spearing
mscott556
Contributor
What about this..
Harvesting of Tropical Fish
The recreational harvesting of tropical fish from the Blue Heron Bridge area is strongly discouraged.
The Blue Heron Bridge area has become internationally recognized by scientists, scuba divers, underwater photographers, and snorkelers for its abundance of unique marine life. Snorkelers and divers are encouraged to enjoy this exceptional and extraordinary resource and help preserve tropical fish and marine life for others to enjoy.
There are no local regulations against recreational harvesting of tropical fish; however, a proper saltwater fishing license is required, and regulations established by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) must be followed. These regulations include the limits of various species that can be taken, as well as the means in which they can be harvested.
Use of knives or spear guns to capture fish in County park waters is not permitted.
(Palm Beach County either owns or has management rights for most of the submerged area around the Blue Heron Bridge.)
Commercial activity, including the harvesting of tropical fish, is not permitted within County park property unless authorized by the Director or Assistant Director of the Parks and Recreation Department. No commercial harvesting of tropical fish is currently authorized.
And the east side was at least covered in the proposal to make the area a sanctuary but I haven't seen the final decision yet.
http://www.pbcgov.com/parks/publications/pdf/ProposedSanctuaryZone.pdf
Harvesting of Tropical Fish
The recreational harvesting of tropical fish from the Blue Heron Bridge area is strongly discouraged.
The Blue Heron Bridge area has become internationally recognized by scientists, scuba divers, underwater photographers, and snorkelers for its abundance of unique marine life. Snorkelers and divers are encouraged to enjoy this exceptional and extraordinary resource and help preserve tropical fish and marine life for others to enjoy.
There are no local regulations against recreational harvesting of tropical fish; however, a proper saltwater fishing license is required, and regulations established by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) must be followed. These regulations include the limits of various species that can be taken, as well as the means in which they can be harvested.
Use of knives or spear guns to capture fish in County park waters is not permitted.
(Palm Beach County either owns or has management rights for most of the submerged area around the Blue Heron Bridge.)
Commercial activity, including the harvesting of tropical fish, is not permitted within County park property unless authorized by the Director or Assistant Director of the Parks and Recreation Department. No commercial harvesting of tropical fish is currently authorized.
And the east side was at least covered in the proposal to make the area a sanctuary but I haven't seen the final decision yet.
http://www.pbcgov.com/parks/publications/pdf/ProposedSanctuaryZone.pdf
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