Miami man cited for harvesting protected shark

A 63-year-old Miami man who was found in possession of a Lemon shark was cited Saturday (31st March) for harvesting the protected species.

Jose Medina was given a notice to appear in court.

Upper Keys Deputy Nelson Sanchez made a traffic stop in Islamorada about 4 p.m. and noticed fishing rods in the car. The driver and passenger said they had been fishing near the Indian Key Fill at Mile Marker 78. The driver showed Deputy Sanchez a cooler containing some snappers. Deputy Sanchez inquired about a larger cooler and Medina responded that it was “only a shark.” Deputy Sanchez opened the larger cooler and found a cleaned shark. Deputy Sanchez saw that it could be a Lemon shark, which is a protected species. Deputy Sanchez asked those in the car if they had any photos of the shark on their phones, which Medina provided. The photos confirmed the shark was a Lemon shark. Medina also confirmed it was a Lemon shark, adding he is a spearfisherman and famliar with the species.

Medina said he found the shark on the shoreline and didn’t want it to go to waste. It is illegal to harvest Lemon sharks in Florida state waters.

He was cited and the shark was seized.

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