GULF HARBORS, Fla. - Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers in Pasco County have charged the captain and crew of a commercial stone crab vessel with multiple violations for illegally harvesting more than 65 pounds of stone crab claws from unauthorized lines and traps.

The investigation began on Sept. 26, when FWC officers found a continuous line of blue crab traps near Gulf Harbors.

According to the FWC, the line lacked buoys, which violates state law.

Given the timing, stone crab season began on Oct. 15, officers suspected the traps were being used illegally to harvest stone crabs.

On Oct. 15, an officer conducting surveillance observed a commercial vessel pulling the same blue crab traps and confirmed the occupants were harvesting stone crabs from the traps.

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