The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) today announced a settlement agreement with a commercial fishing captain.
Darrell York of the Commercial Fishing Vessel, Be carefulagreed to pay $22,300 in restitution for resource crimes dating back to 2015.
“This case is a great example of our commitment to working with our state and federal partners to bring to justice those who show complete disregard for Florida’s natural resources and actively evade agents,” Col. Roger said. Young, FWC Law Enforcement Division.
Officers from the FWC’s Offshore Patrol Boat Program first encountered York in 2015 when he and his crew discarded their illegal catches of red snapper and grouper during a chase.
Through multiple encounters and tips from the public, officers determined that the captain had built a hidden compartment on the ship. During a stop in January 2021, officers discovered 13 red snappers and a gag grouper in the hidden compartment.
Information about the case was presented to NOAA special agents, and in April 2022, York and NOAA prosecutors reached a settlement agreement for a restitution payment of $22,300.
