Florida animal abuser duo kills baby bottlenose dolphin and bonnethead sharks using banned gill nets
TAMPA, FLORIDA: A pair of suspected animal abusers were arrested after they used an illegal fishing net and killed a baby dolphin. The two men, Yunior Morales, 30, and Yandie Concepcion, 34, were arrested for their crimes in Tampa, Florida, earlier this week and charged with several third-degree felonies and misdemeanors.
They used three huge gill nets, which have actually been banned in Florida since 1995, Metro reveals. The nets were used to catch the baby bottlenose dolphin and other protected species like bonnethead sharks, snook and redfish. According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the incident had taken place near Gandy Beach. Both the men are now facing numerous charges in connection with their catch, Tampa Bay Times reveals. Morales and Concepcion were both arrested on Friday, July 31, the wildlife commission shared. Officers added how the men had three nets in their possession which measured around 3,125 square feet. The news release states that the men had taken several kinds of fish by using the nets.
The nets are believed to be made with monofilament material which captures everything but very small fish. This causes fish and other marine life to get caught in it and die. Voters had approved a Constitutional Amendment which banned the use of the net in Florida waters. The men face three felony charges in link to the use of gill nets and around 28 misdemeanor charges that include charges like taking snook out of season, taking undersize snook, taking redfish out of season, and oversize redfish and taking over the bag limit of bonnethead sharks.
It is reported that the maximum fine for each felony charge is five years in prison along with a $5000 fine with both men being booked at the Pinellas County Jail. As per Metro, FWC SW Regional Commander, Major Roger Young, said, "Our officers work hard to protect Florida’s precious natural resources and egregious violations such as these are reminders of why our work is so important." "The use of this type of fishing gear is not only illegal but it is harmful to fish and wildlife by indiscriminately killing much of the fish and wildlife that become entangled in it," Young shared.
Bottlenose dolphins are federally protected and the commission shared that they are working with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration on the case. The commission added that it was anonymous tips to the Wildlife Alert Hotline that led to the arrest. Many social media users commented on the Facebook post shared by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and slammed the two men. One such user had written, "Poor baby. Thank you for all that you guys do. You really are Florida’s defenders and it’s not recognized enough."
Another added, "Rope, heavy anchor, deep water....problem solved...let them feel what it was like for those fish that died!" Yet another outraged social media user shared, "Pretty sure I saw them at Rocky Point on Tuesday. I can identify the boat they were in if you need additional witnesses." "They killed a dolphin? Why do people become so reckless with our environment! Net fishing should be band from all waters. You want to eat fish go catch it!" wrote another user.