Three men cited for undersized Hogfish

Three Lower Keys men were cited on July 5 for spearing three undersized Hogfish snappers.

Those cited were:

  • Edgar George Braswell IV, 48, of Big Coppitt Key
  • Joshua Dean Wallen, 39, of Summerland Key
  • Christopher Ryan Butler, 35, of Key West

Lower Keys Marine Deputy Jon Riggs was on patrol, Oceanside, in the area of North Pine Channel near Little Palm Island when he stopped a vessel with five people on board. The vessel had several spear guns visible in the back of the boat.

Deputy Riggs asked the men on the boat if they had been diving and if they speared any fish. The men, identified as Braswell, Wallen and Butler, stated they had been diving and they each speared one Hogfish. They also stated there was a Black Grouper on board.

Each of the Hogfish was 15 inches. The state legal limit for Hogfish is 16 inches.

The Black Grouper on board that was of legal size — 24 inches.

The men were given wildlife resource violation citations.

The dead fish were returned to the water.

For Florida fishing regulations go to www.myfwc.com

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