A 51-year-old Miami-Dade County man was cited on July 5 for possessing illegal snappers and lobster.
Miguel Comesana was charged with possession of three undersized mutton snapper and one undersized, out-of-season lobster.
Marine Deputy Wilfredo Guerra was patrolling on the Long Key Bridge when he saw a man later identified as Comesana with a cooler and fishing rods in his hands. Deputy Guerra inspected his cooler and found the illegal catch. Deputy Guerra issued him a notice a to appear in court for the violations.
The mutton snappers measured under 15 inches. State law requires them to be 18 inches if they are to be harvested. Florida lobster season runs from Aug. 6 to March 31. The carapace of the lobster when harvested legally in season must be larger than three inches. Lobsters are to be measured in the water. Law requires every lobster angler possess and use of a measuring device at all times.