Florida Keys deputies arrested a New Jersey man and cited a Jacksonville man in two separate wildlife violation cases on Thursday, July 16, authorities reported.

Wildlife Violations

In the first incident, Middle Keys Marine Deputy Willie Guerra was patrolling near the Long Key Bridge at approximately 5:38 p.m. when he spotted a snorkeler spearfishing without a diver-down flag. The individual, identified as 54-year-old Damon Shaw Winters of Jacksonville, Florida, was found in possession of three undersized hogfish.

According to officials, Winters stated all three of the fish belonged to him. Deputy Guerra issued Winters a mandatory notice to appear in court for possessing the undersized hogfish and for exceeding the daily bag limit, which restricts harvesters to one hogfish per day.

Later that day, Lower Keys Marine Deputy Luis Guiardinu observed another individual diving without a diver-down flag at Bahia Honda State Park. The diver, 49-year-old Benjamin Lyszczasz of Colonia, New Jersey, was found with four out-of-season wrung lobster tails. Because Bahia Honda State Park is a designated no-take zone, Lyszczasz was arrested on multiple charges.

His violations included harvesting lobster in a restricted area, possession of out-of-season lobster tails, possession of wrung lobster tails while in the water, and possession of undersized lobster. Additionally, he faces charges for lacking a lobster permit, failing to carry a lobster measuring device, and diving without a safety flag.

State authorities remind the public that complete up-to-date fishing and wildlife regulations can be found by visiting the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission website at www.myfwc.com.

Original reporting: Tampa Free Press — read the source article.