Alabama Fisherman Convicted in Florida

An Atlanta fisherman mistook a Goliath Grouper for a Warsaw Grouper. The former is a protected species and legal beagles from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission took DNA samples and then laid charges.

Billy Daniels of Moody, AL was charged with catching and keeping a Goliath Grouper, a a second degree misdemeanor punishable by up to 60 days in jail and a fine of up to $500. Daniels, the boat's captain, and his crewmates believed they had caught a Warsaw Grouper that approached the world record. Last June, four anglers were fishing off St. George Island when they landed a giant grouper that measured nearly 7 feet in length and weighed an estimated 440 pounds. The world record for Warsaw Grouper is 436 pounds and 12 ounces. It was caught by Steve Haeusler in the Gulf of Mexico off Destin, FL on December 22, 1985. On Wednesday, November 18 Daniels accepted a deferred prosecution agreement. The Panama City News Herald reported the details of the agreement:

Daniels to be fined $150, which [assistant state attorney Jarred] Patterson said was typically sought with first offenses. In addition, Daniels agreed to donate $150 to the state’s Wildlife Alert Reward program, which offers cash incentives for reporting to the Florida Wildlife Commission (FWC) those in possible violation of fish and wildlife laws, or boating under the influence of alcohol.

The News Herald also published an editorial that pilloried the FWC. "After months of dogged pursuit, the Ahabs of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission finally snagged their Moby Dick — an Alabama minnow." It continued,

Apparently, the fish slayer got off easy because he fully cooperated with authorities — who of course had him under their thumb.... anglers might want to add at least one more passenger to their fishing expeditions — either an ichthyologist or a maritime lawyer, to ensure that anything caught is properly identified and complies with the law.

In a region that relies on tourism as a major aspect of its economy the FWC's dogged pursuit of a visiting fishermen was not well received.