State charges 10 for poaching fish, shrimp, turtles

Florida has charged 10 people tied to an alleged illegal commercial fishing operation along the state’s Gulf Coast involving poaching of fish, shrimp and turtles. Attorney General James Uthmeier and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announced the arrests Monday, calling out sea turtles at a press event at C-Quarters Marina in Carrabelle. Investigators said the state had been working the case since complaints began in May 2022, alleging the group regularly caught more red snapper and gag grouper than allowed and avoided reporting by selling dockside at night, from their homes, or via on-the-water handoffs. The release says sales exceeded $150,000 and that undercover officers bought protected sea turtles from the suspects, including adult and hatchling turtles. Charges include racketeering and unlawful possession or sale of marine turtles.