Attorney General James Uthmeier Charges 10 Defendants in Sea Turtle Poaching and Illegal Fishing Operation
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Attorney General James Uthmeier joined the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and local law enforcement to announce charges against 10 people accused of running an illegal commercial fishing operation. After a multi-year undercover investigation by FWC and the Office of Statewide Prosecution.
“We plan to leave Florida better to God than how we found it, and poachers abusing our natural resources will be prosecuted to the fullest extent,” said Attorney General James Uthmeier. “Those who abuse our waters and wildlife will find out how tough our laws are. The Office of Statewide Prosecution, FWC, and our local law enforcement officers will ensure criminals are caught and punished.”
“Florida’s fisheries belong to all of us, and the rules exist to protect these resources and the fishermen who play by them,” said Rodney Barreto, FWC Chairman. “I’m proud of the hard work and dedication of our undercover officers over the past four years. We need thorough enforcement, accurate reporting, and accountability to ensure Florida’s fisheries remain healthy and sustainable for everyone.” Read more
A new 66-foot, steel-hulled vessel to monitor Lake Michigan fisheries is replacing an older vessel and will mean more efficient and safer operations for Michigan Department of Natural Resources crew members.
Any night fishing plans in your future this fall? Michigan Department of Natural Resources personnel will be conducting nighttime walleye recruitment surveys from late September to mid-October, so be on the lookout for survey crews when you’re on the water.
Plus, stocking is only one of the tools that DNR fisheries managers have at their disposal to enhance fisheries and protect ecosystems. Fishing regulations, habitat improvement and invasive species control are also essential for maintaining healthy fisheries and waters.
Perhaps best known for his contribution to the recreational Pacific salmon fishery on the Great Lakes, Dr. Tanner, as chief of the Fisheries Division, was charged with addressing the issue of alewife — an invasive species that was washing up on shore in droves, making beaches unusable and throwing Great Lakes ecosystems out of balance. In response, he determined to stock coho salmon and acquired surplus eggs from Oregon. The first of these coho salmon were stocked in the Platte River and its tributaries in 1966, resulting in the start of the “something spectacular” that gives title to 
“Dr. Howard Tanner had the vision and courage to imagine a different future for the Great Lakes when few others could,” said Randy Claramunt, DNR Fisheries Division chief. “His decision to introduce Pacific salmon transformed Michigan’s fisheries, created a world-class recreational fishery, and changed the way we think about managing the Great Lakes. “We are the beneficiaries of his bold leadership