First day of 2021 lobster mini season update 

There were two major incidents on the water Wednesday during lobster mini season. Both occurred in the Lower Keys.

  • Emilio Gonzalo Perez, 35, of Sewall’s Point, Florida was pronounced dead at Lower Keys Medical Center after he lost consciousness snorkeling for lobster near Sawyer Key. Foul play does not appear to be a factor in the incident. Autopsy results are pending.
  • Trauma Star airlifted Ricardo Maikel Rodriguez Leyva, 41, of Naples, Florida to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami after his leg was struck by a boat propeller near Cudjoe Key. He was listed in serious condition on Thursday. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is the investigating agency.

Overall, Wednesday was a normal day for the Sheriff’s Office during mini season. Most people were in compliance and the number of vessel stops, notice to appear in court citations and arrest figures reflect the average over the last few years.

The following are the combined numbers for Wednesday from all four Sheriff’s Office Districts from Key Largo to Key West. These numbers do not include data from our law enforcement partners such as the FWC, the Florida Highway Patrol, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the U.S. Coast Guard:

  • 192 vessel stops/resource/safety inspections
  • 2 arrests, both for lobster violations
  • 10 mandatory Notice to Appear in Court Citations.

Those figures do not include numerous, less serious violations/citations/warnings issued on the water, as well as land as of Wednesday.

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