Two New Jersey men were given notices to appear in court citations Saturday for possession of five undersized and out-of-season lobsters.
Middle Keys Marine Deputy Wilfredo Guerra was patrolling gulf side near Mile Marker 57 on a Yamaha WaveRunner provided to the Sheriff’s Office by Riva Motorsports & Marine of the Keys. Deputy Guerra observed two people diving under a dock without a dive flag. Deputy Guerra approached and found them possessing nets, gloves and lobster tickle sticks. On the dock, Deputy Guerra observed a bucket that appeared to contain lobsters.
Inspection of the bucket revealed five, out-of-season, undersized lobsters.
Stephen Craven, 53, of Hazlet, New Jersey, and Justin McDonough, 55, of Flemington, New Jersey, were both cited for possession of undersized lobster and possession of out-of-season lobsters.
All five lobsters were returned to the ocean alive.
