Shrimper hooked by LCSO for having too much tail

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FORT MYERS, Fla. – A 55-year-old Texas man was ‘hooked’ by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office for having too many lobster tails.

Deputies said they found 34 spiny lobster tails in the freezer of Francisco Hernandez’ boat on Wednesday. The tails were undersized and separated from the body.

State law limits the number of spiny lobster to six per recreational harvester, per day. With four people on the boat, the maximum number they could have was 24, the department said.

A shrimp bag with several different species of fish was also found, including two undersized Pompano fish, the department said.

As the captain of the vessel, Hernandez, of Brownsville, Texas, was charged with 47 counts of violating Florida Wildlife Commission’s order level two, which sets limits on the number of marine life fishermen can collect.

Hernandez remained in the Lee County jail Thursday on a $35,250 bond.

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