Holiday weekend keeps patrols busy

A 21-foot boat runs aground in the mangroves in North Key Largo on the afternoon of July 2. U.S. COAST GUARD/Via Facebook

U.S. COAST GUARD & FWC RESPOND TO A BOAT THAT RAN INTO MANGROVES IN NORTH KEY LARGO

A 21-foot boat with two people aboard ran aground on the afternoon of July 2 in North Key Largo, according to a Facebook post by the U.S. Coast Guard Southeast.

Rescue crews arrived to find the boat deep in the mangroves. The two people on the boat were rescued by a crew from the U.S. Coast Guard Station Islamorada. No injuries were reported at the time.

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission officers were also on scene to investigate. — Weekly staff report

SEVERAL CITED FOR UNDERSIZED FISH DURING HOLIDAY WEEKEND PATROLS

Abusy holiday weekend on the Florida Keys waters resulted in several people receiving tickets for catching undersized

fish.

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation reports that officers Jason Richards, Jeremy Foell and Daniel Jones were on a federal fisheries patrol on July 1 between Key West and Dry Tortugas National Park. During their patrol, they saw a 52-foot Viking called the “Shakedown” out of Boca Raton stationed inside the Warsaw Hole Spawning Special Management Zone, which is closed to fishing for snapper and grouper.

Officers conducted an inspection of the vessel and found the crew in possession of out-of-season red snapper and six undersized dolphins. Officers issued federal citations for fishing inside the Warsaw SMZ, outof-season red snapper and the undersized dolphins.

On July 3, FWC investigator Chris Mattson, Maj. Albert Maza and officer Waymen Pearson were patrolling the water not far from MM 78 in Islamorada when they spotted four men fishing from the bank at Indian Key Channel Bridge. The officers went over to conduct an inspection of the group from Miami when Mattson asked to inspect their cooler. Mattson discovered three undersized schoolmaster snapper and one undersized black grouper. After questioning, one of the men in the group admitted catching all the undersized fish. He was cited for two misdemeanor violations.

On July 3, FWC officer Courtney Carroll was performing fisheries inspections around 5 p.m. on the north end of Channel 5 bridge in Islamorada. During her inspection, she found two Miami men with 20 undersized snappers. The undersized catches consisted of one undersized mutton snapper, one undersized yellowtail snapper and 18 undersized schoolmaster snapper. Carroll issued both men a “Notice to Appear” in court for the violations. — Weekly staff report

Offi cers discover a 52-foot Viking inside the Warsaw Hole Spawning Special Management Zone. FWC/Contributed

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FIREWORKS LIGHT THE ISLAMORADA NIGHTTIME SKY

People attending the Independence Day Celebration at Founders Park took their seats along the beach and the lawn as the sun began to set. A barrage of fireworks ensued, lighting the nighttime sky on July 4. “Wows” from the spectators culminated in an evening of food, face painting and other fun activities, including a patriotic puppy parade. The celebration was sponsored by Key West International Airport, Village of Islamorada and Upper Keys Rotary Club.

— Jim McCarthy

1. Fireworks light the nighttime sky in Islamorada as spectators take their spots at the beach to watch the show.

2. People gather at the beach to watch the fi reworks show.

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3. A young girl lights a sparkler.

4. A group of people gather at Founders Park beach as the sun sets. Out on the water, boats took their spot on the bay to watch the fi reworks display.

Photos by Doug Finger.

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IN PICTURES: 70 FLOATS TAKE PART KEY LARGO’S FOURTH OF JULY PARADE

Some 70 floats and vehicles paraded up U.S. 1 for the 46th annual “Celebrating Freedom” parade on July 4. Organized by the Key Largo Chamber of Commerce, the parade saw water gun exchanges, tossing of candy and friendly waves. Retired Monroe County Sheriff’s Maj. Don Fanelli was parade marshal. — Jim McCarthy

1. Olive Wampler, 8, and her brother Declan, 10, spray parade goers with water while riding in the Island Arms & Indoor Range fl oat driven by parents Augie and Sabrina Wampler during the Key Largo 4th of July parade.

2. Monroe County Sheriff ’s Deputy Lance Hernandez leads in the parade.

3. Parade spectators wave as the Key Largo Fire Department trucks drive up U.S. 1. 4. The decorative Price Automotive van passes by parade spectators.

5. Parade participants on the Cindy’s Hair Place fl oat douse the crowd with water.

6. Retired Monroe County Sheriff ’s Maj. Don Fanelli, left, with Beth, wife, and Sheriff Rick Ramsay. Fanelli was parade marshal.

Photos by Doug Finger.

For a full gallery, visit keysweekly.com

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