A Canadian man was arrested for illegally spear fishing for spiny lobsters in the Florida Keys, state wildlife officials said.
Read more Criminal complaints shed light on why UK wanted Tate brothers arrested in Miami
Marko Gacic, of Ontario, is facing six misdemeanor counts related to spiny lobster violations following his arrest on July 12, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said.
According to the FWC, an officer was on patrol in Monroe County when he received a tip that someone was spearfishing within the Alligator Reef Sanctuary Preservation Area, a protected area found within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, which exists to help protect shallow reefs which in turn helps sustain wildlife that live within this ecosystem like the spiny lobster.
Fishing of spiny lobsters is prohibited within the protected area.
Gacic, 42, was found swimming in the water with a speargun, and the officer found Gacic to have two spiny lobsters within his possession that were speared and below the legal-size limit, officials said.
In addition to these two violations, officials said Gacic had killed a lobster that was bearing eggs, which is also strictly prohibited.
Read more Pedestrian dead, driver hospitalized after crash in Pompano Beach, deputies say
Spiny lobster fishing season is currently closed. Regular Spiny lobster season lasts from Aug. 6 to March 31. The daily bag limit is 6 crustaceans per person.
According to the FWC, in order to keep a spiny lobster during the hunting season, their carapace must be larger than 3 inches, specifically when measured in water. A carapace is their tough shell that spans from their head to midsection.
Spiny lobster sport fishing season is on July 29 and will last until the end of the day on July 30. The limit will be 6 spiny lobsters per fisherman.
Read more Applications to join Section 8 housing voucher waitlist in Hialeah begin Wednesday