Wow, getting serious in the keys!

[ricanboy57]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9042322#post9042322 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by jenlovesty
The rock my friend was taking was dead coral that has been broken off the reef during the hurricanes.

yep like RicksReefs said, i guess that would be illegal. but what if it was concrete that you put there yourself? (like the paved parking lot) is it concidered yours. or wildlife now?

 

[Me No Nemo]

It's wildlife unless you own a permit to harvest aquacultured rock.

 

[RicksReefs]

yup. and even with a lease and permit to aquaculture rock, if you don't notify F&G that your bringing in your rock, you can get busted.
FWIW, most of the artificial reefs are made of concrete. what's to say 'your' concrete rock isn't taken from one? that's how F&G will look at it.

 

[Grit]

Illegal harvesting sucks. If convicted, does anyone know what his fine will be? Will he loose his boat?
Also does anyone know how to easily track these kinds of offenses? To see which Judge winds up with the case and how serious the judge considers the offense? I often hear people say that it usually falls apart in the courtroom and most offenders wind up with little more than a slap on the wrist. Is this true? And if so, how do we find out the names of the Judges? If we knew, we could do something about it and not reelect them.
If you enjoy the resources of Florida (as I do) I’m sure you would like to keep them as pristine as possible. If that’s the case, help the FWC officers do their job. If you can educate an unknowing poacher and stop a future crime that’s great. But if its something beyond you, report it and take pictures if possible. Call 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) 24 hours a day or report online at MyFWC.com. Be a willing witness and you might keep a poacher from striking again.

 

[bluerug]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9042910#post9042910 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RicksReefs
ALL rock is illegal, whether from the beach, a wall, or from 30 feet.
my first week in florida had me in the keys and i was standing in the parking lot of the quay restaraunt, which was paved in coral rock rubble. I picked up a fist sized piece and was quickly lectured by the F&G guy not 10 feet away. when I said 'you just watched me pick it up from a parking lot' his response was ' I find that in your vehicle, and I'll assume it's from the water 10 feet away and I'll take your vehicle'

If it is your property it is not a problem at all.

 

[RicksReefs]

yes, but the state owns it to the high tide line and the restaraunt owned the lot. without a receipt in posession while transporting rock,you can get fined because it will be assumed to be from state waters, then it's up to you to prove otherwise.

 

[ricanboy57]

<a href=showthread.php?s=&postid=9055629#post9055629 target=_blank>Originally posted</a> by RicksReefs
yes, but the state owns it to the high tide line and the restaraunt owned the lot. without a receipt in posession while transporting rock,you can get fined because it will be assumed to be from state waters, then it's up to you to prove otherwise.

Guilty until proven innocent