Man cited for possession of undersized Mutton/Mangrove snappers

A 64-year-old Miami man was given a notice to appear in court citation Friday afternoon after he was caught with undersized Mutton and Mangrove snappers.

Upper Keys Sgt. James Hager and Deputy Matthew O’Neill were on routine patrol at 2:15 p.m. near Mile Marker 90 on U.S. 1 when they observed a pickup truck towing a trailered boat. The boat trailer was missing its right tire and was riding on the rim. They stopped the pickup truck and informed the driver — identified as Pedro Ivan Say — of the situation. The trailer’s suspension was broken and disconnected upon further inspection.

Deputy O’Neill asked Say if he had been fishing and Say answered in the affirmative. Sgt. Hager and Deputy O’Neill asked Say if he caught anything and Say answered that he caught a “few grunts.” Sgt. Hager and Deputy O’Neill asked if they could inspect the catch and Say answered in the affirmative.

Sgt. Hager and Deputy O’Neill inspected a cooler and found three Mutton snapper. The Mutton snapper were all smaller than state law-mandated 18 inches.

The two Mangrove snapper were found to be smaller than the state mandated 10 inches.

Say admitted to catching the fish. Say were issued a notice to appear in court for the violations.

The trailer and vessel were towed by a towing company by Say given the damage to the trailer.

The confiscated fish were donated to the Florida Keys Bird Rehabilitation Center in Tavernier to feed the birds.

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