Commercial fishing captain pays $22,300 to settle federal fisheries case
On May 17, 2022, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) announced a settlement agreement with a commercial fisherman Darrell York, captain of the commercial fishing vessel, Watch Out, who agreed to pay $22,300 restitution for resource-related crimes, dating as far back as 2015.
Officers with the FWC’s offshore patrol vessel program first encountered York in 2015, when he and his crew discarded their catch of illegal red snapper and grouper during a pursuit. Through multiple encounters, along with tips from the public, officers determined that the captain had constructed a hidden compartment on hisd vessel, and during a stop in January 2021, officers discovered 13 red snapper and one gag grouper in the hidden compartment.
Information on this case was presented to special agents with NOAA, and in April 2022, York and prosecutors with NOAA reached a settlement agreement for a restitution payment of $22,300.
“This case is a great example of our commitment to working with our state and federal partners in bringing those who show complete disregard for Florida’s natural resources and are actively evading officers to justice,” said Col. Roger Young, FWC Division of Law Enforcement.