Three commercial fishermen were arrested Saturday after authorities in the Florida Keys discovered more than 100 undersized lobster tails stashed aboard their vessel.
The bust occurred as the men began to offload their catch to a buyer, who also was cited.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) stated Tuesday that a search of the vessel ensued after officers spotted eight undersize lobsters during the offloading process.
Below deck, in a five-gallon bucket, were 129 wrung spiny Florida lobster tails, including 127 from undersize lobsters.
The buyer, on land, was found in possession of four undersize mangrove snapper and two live Queen Conch.
WSVN News identified the fishermen as Elmis Ruiz Recano, Blas Ismar Santos Pompa and Amaury Abreu Gonzalez.
They were jailed and charged with misdemeanor counts of possessing wrung spiny Florida lobster tails on the water, and possession of undersized lobster. Additionally, each was charged with a felony count of possession of 100-plus undersized spiny Florida lobster.
