“Florida is a great place to enjoy boating year-round,” said Col. Calvin Adams, director of the FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement. “And even more people will be out on the water for the holiday weekend. Both the holiday and National Safe Boating Week (May 18-24) present an opportunity to emphasize the importance of remaining safe while boating,” Adams noted.

Each year, FWC officers rescue around 1,000 people, many of them on the water. However, not everyone is so lucky. Ten people have already lost their lives this year due to boating accidents in Florida.

“FWC officers are committed to keeping people as safe as possible, but we need your help,” Adams said. “We want to reach out to as many boaters as we can to help them understand that most boating accidents are preventable.”

The FWC reminds boaters to enjoy their time on the water by taking a few safety precautions, such as remaining alert while operating a boat, wearing both a life jacket and engine shut-off switch at all times and designating a sober boat operator.

According to the FWC, inattentiveness of the operator often contributes to boating accidents.

Statistics also show that more than 67 percent of the 55 boating-related deaths confirmed last year were attributed to drowning, which life jackets are designed to prevent.

There is a wide variety of comfortable, affordable and stylish life jackets on the market today. The many options make it easy to be protected. Some compact designs even inflate upon hitting the water.

An engine shut-off switch is a safety lanyard that attaches from the boat operator to the ignition. If it is disconnected, the engine will shut down, potentially preventing a boater who has fallen overboard from being injured by the moving propeller of a runaway boat.

“Boating smart and safely could result in fewer injuries and deaths each year,” Adams said.

To report people who are operating boats dangerously, call 888-404-FWCC or text Tip@MyFWC.com.

More information can be found by visiting MyFWC.com/Boating.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is investigating the suspicious death of an American crocodile found floating in Florida Bay near Islamorada on Sunday. FWC officers recovered the crocodile carcass along the mangrove-covered shoreline near Mile Marker 74.

For information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for killing the crocodile, THE FWC’s Wildlife Alert Reward Association and the Humane Society of the United States are offering a combined reward of up to $6,000. Anyone who provides information can remain anonymous.

The American crocodile in Florida is listed federally as a threatened species. State and federal laws prohibit killing, harassing, feeding or possessing crocodiles. Killing an American crocodile is a third-degree felony.

This female crocodile, known as “Blue #9,” was a longtime resident of the area. It recently made news when it laid eggs in a planter box next to U.S. 1.

The FWC asks anyone who has information regarding the death of this crocodile to call the FWC at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or the Crime Stoppers hotline at 800-346-TIPS.

That’s where the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) comes in. In addition to patrolling all of Florida’s waterways, FWC staff promotes access to them by developing and maintaining boat ramps. The goal is for everyone to be able to enjoy the water safely.

Each year, FWC officers rescue around 1,000 people, many of them on the water.

Earlier this year, in Escambia County, two people were left hanging onto the Bob Sikes Bridge after their boat began to take on water and sink. Fortunately, two FWC officers responded and brought them safely to shore.

However, not everyone is so lucky.

In 2012 there were over 700 boating accidents, and 55 people tragically lost their lives as a result. FWC officers do everything they can to keep people safe, but there are also measures that boaters should take to protect themselves.

Remain alert, wear a life jacket at all times and designate a sober boat operator. These three simple actions can mean the difference between a fun day on the water and a tragic one.

There are many comfortable life jackets on the market today, including compact styles that automatically inflate if you hit the water. Having it stored in a bin is legal for adults, but you will be much more likely to stay afloat if you’re always wearing it.

Some popular waterways can get crowded at times. Ensuring that your boat operator pays close attention to the surroundings, including signage, other boats and animals, and hasn’t had any alcohol are absolutely necessary to be safe.

Recently, FWC officers in Duval County received a complaint of an impaired boater. When they located him, he had three children onboard and was unable to dock his boat. The officers used a rope and pulled his boat to the dock. After sobriety tests and a check of his blood-alcohol level, he was arrested for BUI and taken off the water before he could injure himself or others.

If you see someone operating dangerously, putting himself or others in harm’s way – say something! The FWC’s Wildlife Alert hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can report fish and wildlife law violations as well as dangerous boaters. Helping the FWC is another way to stay safe and enjoy your day on the water.

Also, if you encounter any FWC officers, remember it is their job to keep people safe, and they have many ways to do that. They may put on a boating safety course for students, be called to rescue someone or in some instances, have to issue a citation.

If you are out on the water, you may be stopped briefly so they can check your vessel registration and safety equipment or inspect your fishing licenses and catch. FWC officers are trained to handle public interactions with respect and humility. But you can help ensure a positive experience and even reduce the number of times you are stopped.

If an FWC officer spots a boat without the proper registration, it is likely that the officer will stop it. Operating recklessly is another sure way to be stopped. Also, having all of your safety gear onboard and easily accessible not only helps in case of emergency, but it makes checks go more quickly as well.

Let’s work together to protect this paradise and enjoy it safely!

For more information on boating access or boating safety, visit MyFWC.com/Boating.

As leader of the largest conservation law enforcement agency in the country, he will oversee more than 1,000 employees, direct their enforcement efforts in Florida and manage the budget for the FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement.

Also, because the FWC works closely with many conservation and public-safety partners, Adams will be looked up to as a leader throughout the state and country.

“The FWC has an excellent team,” Adams said. “From our command staff and administrative support in Tallahassee to our officers in the field, we work together every day to protect people and natural resources. I’m honored to be named as the leader of this dedicated group.”

Adams will succeed Jim Brown, who has served as director of law enforcement since 2009 and is retiring. Although Brown has an impressive reputation that might be hard for others to live up to, Adams is considered ready for the task.

“Col. Brown has been an exceptional leader with a true passion for ensuring that people can safely enjoy Florida’s natural resources,” said FWC Executive Director Nick Wiley. “I see the same commitment in Col. Adams. I look forward to working with him as he brings the highest values of integrity and professional leadership to continue moving us in this positive direction.”

Adams is no stranger to law enforcement and conservationists. He grew up in a family of them and gained his own varied experience.

He began his career with the Florida Marine Patrol, one of the FWC’s predecessor agencies, in 1985 in Indian River County. He worked his way up as an investigator, lieutenant, captain and major, working across the state in Tampa, Lake City and Tallahassee. Since 2007, he has served as a deputy director in the FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement, directing statewide operations, including the aviation and K-9 programs, and providing guidance to staff regarding search-and-rescue activities, targeted resource protection efforts and other details.

Adams’ father retired from the Florida Marine Patrol in 1994 after a 30-year career. His uncle served in law enforcement with the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission (GFC), another FWC-predecessor agency, and was an elected sheriff before being appointed a GFC commissioner. Two of Adams’ cousins are also FWC officers.

Adams has an Associate in Arts degree from Hillsborough Community College and training certificates from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Chief Executive Seminar and the FBI’s National Academy, Session 237. He lives in Tallahassee with his wife, Olga, and they have two adult children.

On Thursday, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved staff recommendations for potential revisions to boating safety zones in Broward and Pinellas counties.

The first proposed change is that, in both counties, the descriptions of some zones would be changed to match the physical locations of regulatory markers, some of which have been in place since 1995.

“These are technical changes to rule language and will include updating rule maps,” said Capt. Richard Moore of the FWC’s Boating and Waterways Section. “The changes will also relieve the city and county governments from responsibility to maintain the markers for the state-adopted zones, as the FWC will take over maintenance.”

In Broward County, the five affected zones will remain as they have been physically marked since at least 2004. The rule language will be updated to match the current marker locations by extending:

• The southern boundary of the Hillsborough Boulevard Bridge zone by 200 feet.
• The northern boundary of the Hillsborough Inlet zone by 275 feet.
• The southern boundary of the Commercial Boulevard Bridge zone by 100 feet.
• The southern boundary of the Hallandale Beach Boulevard Marina zone by 525 feet.
• The southern boundary of the Hallandale Beach Boulevard Bridge zone by 100 feet.

In Pinellas County, two zones will remain as they have been physically marked since at least 1995, and the rule language will be updated to match the current marker locations by extending:

• The southern boundary of the Park Boulevard Bridge zone by 1,234 feet and the northern boundary of the zone by 550 feet.
• The southern boundary of the Indian Rocks Bridge zone by 1,372 feet and the northern boundary of the zone by 50 feet.

Other changes to Pinellas zones include:

• Revisions to markers and rule language to extend a channel-only zone to a shoreline-to-shoreline slow-speed, minimum-wake zone from Treasure Island to Corey Causeway.
• Changing a current zone to include the entire span of two Pinellas Bayway bridges.
• Expanding channel-only zones to include the entire spans of the Belleair Causeway Bridge and the Honeymoon Island Causeway Bridge.

“The current markers in those other locations are inconsistent with the rule language and are not clear to the public,” Moore said. “Our proposal revises the rule language to create safe boating conditions and areas that can be consistently marked, understood and enforced.”

A related, second change clarifies that shoreline-to-shoreline zones, unless stated otherwise in rule, do not include tributaries, creeks, canals, channels, boat basins, etc., because local governments are authorized by state law to regulate those areas.

“Also, changes in marine infrastructure around the Memorial Causeway Bridge required updates to maintain safe, clearly marked zones,” Moore said. “This required extending the southern boundary of the zone by 500 feet and widening the zone to include all spans of the bridge.”

The final proposed change is the removal of the countywide 30 mph speed restriction for the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) channel in Pinellas County. This was a concern for FWC staff, law enforcement and the public, as it has been neither posted nor enforced since it was put in place in 2000.

“If the ICW speed zone were continued and enforced, we would have two speeds to deal with,” Moore said. “Regulating boat speed within the channel while allowing higher speed travel outside and adjacent to the channel is a potential safety concern.”

The need for all revisions in both counties originated from an FWC review of current state regulations, including boating safety zone boundaries and waterway marker locations.

FWC staff received public support for these proposed changes in both counties, both during public meetings and through electronically submitted commenting. Those providing public comment included other law enforcement personnel, members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, marina owners and operators and owners of sail and power boats, both large and small.

The proposals amend Florida Administrative Code rules 68D-24.008 and 68D-24.010 and repeal rule 68D-24.006. Staff will return to the June Commission meeting to present them for final approval. For additional information, visit MyFWC.com/Boating or call 850-488-5600.

Officer Bryan Fugate is the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) 2013 Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. Fugate, who works in Monroe County in the agency’s South B Region, was recognized April 18 by Shikar-Safari Club International during the FWC’s Commission meeting at the Florida Public Safety Institute near Tallahassee.

Shikar-Safari is a conservation-based organization that presents awards annually to wildlife law enforcement officers in all states, provinces and territories in the United States and Canada. The annual award honors a state officer whose efforts show outstanding performance and achievement among sworn fish and wildlife law enforcement personnel.

Fugate stood out among the FWC’s 853 officers in the field and has proved to be an exemplary officer and an asset to the state’s citizens and natural resources. In 2012, his notable activities included work combating trap-robbing, a case involving the poaching of a loggerhead sea turtle found in the woods on Big Pine Key and proactive efforts to deter criminal activity at state park events and on the Keys’ Greenways and Trails.

“Officer Fugate made some great cases last year. He stood up for Florida’s natural resources as well as its law-abiding fishermen and boaters. However, his tactics and attitude are what really set him apart,” said Col. Jim Brown, director of the FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement in explaining why the FWC named him Officer of the Year.

Fugate has fostered strong working relationships with local, state and federal law enforcement partners and regularly participates in several joint-agency task forces, Brown noted.

To combat trap-robbing and other violations, Fugate has incorporated trail “cams” into his marine resource investigations.

“Through strategically placed cameras, he and fellow officers have been able to observe suspect vessels entering and leaving locations of criminal activity and photograph violators approaching and removing illegal fish traps,” Brown said.

Now, more officers are utilizing this surveillance method to increase their productivity.

“Officer Fugate’s skills and ingenuity, combined with his dedicated, positive attitude make him an excellent FWC officer,” Brown said.

One other important aspect of Fugate’s work is his willingness to reach out to the community, particularly youth.

“Officer Fugate teaches at the Boy Scout camp on Summerland Key and at the Florida Keys Community College School of Public Safety,” Brown said. “He also maintains positive contacts with local charter boat captains.”

Fugate’s passion for protecting Florida’s people and natural resources had early beginnings. He was raised in Desoto County, where his mother was an officer with the Arcadia Police Department and his father was Sheriff of Desoto County. He grew up hunting, fishing, riding horses and running cattle on the family ranch.

As a young man in the outdoors, he met many FWC officers and developed an admiration and respect for the work they do. After earning a business degree from Southwestern Oklahoma State University, he achieved his goal in May 2009 of becoming an FWC officer.

“We’re fortunate to have Officer Fugate on our team,” Brown said. “He not only provides exceptional service on a daily basis, but he sets an example for fellow officers as well.”

Charles W. Catanese (DOB 06/12/42) was pulled from the surf at 1:55 p.m., according to Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) investigators.

Catanese and Dexton Manor (DOB 10/02/64), from Atlantic Beach, were fishing just outside the surf off the state park when a large wave overturned their vessel, according to officials.

Both men were ejected into the water. Manor was able to grab a life vest from the water and swim to shore. Catanese was pulled from the surf and pronounced dead at the scene.

The boat was a 2008 18-foot Duracraft center console.

The FWC is continuing the investigation.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will meet April 17-18 to discuss an array of issues, ranging from marine fisheries and upland wildlife management and harvest issues to boating safety, staff reports and enhancing the public’s ability to help control the invasive lionfish.

Sessions start both days at 8:30 a.m. at the Florida Public Safety Institute, 85 Academy Drive, Havana, FL 32333 (www.floridapsi.com/). The Institute is located west of the city of Midway on US 90.

The meeting is open to the public, and all interested individuals may speak within guidelines established by the Commission.

Marine issues dominate the first day, after a representative of the Wildlife Foundation of Florida presents the annual Louise Ireland Humphrey Employee of the Year Award to FWC Assistant Executive Director Greg Holder.

When the Commission takes up marine fisheries issues April 17, it will start with a final public hearing on the Gulf of Mexico recreational red snapper season. The proposed season would be open June 1 through July 14.

The Commissioners will then discuss a draft rule that proposes format standardization and reorganization for several marine fisheries rules in Florida Administrative Code 68B, as well as the creation of a new General chapter that will include a series of definitions and general regulations that would be applied to all saltwater fishing.

In a draft rule hearing, the Commissioners will discuss a proposal to eliminate the requirement for a recreational fishing license when targeting lionfish with certain gear and to have no recreational or commercial harvest limit. Additionally, the Commission will consider a proposal to make tarpon and bonefish catch-and-release-only species, and review and discuss gear use for tarpon in Boca Grande Pass.

At the request of the Collier County Board of Commissioners, the Commission will also discuss in a draft rule hearing the repeal of two Special Acts of Local Application that prohibit spearing or gigging with artificial light and spearing in state waters off the county shoreline.

The Commission will end the marine fisheries section with a staff update on South Atlantic Fishery Management Council actions and discussions.

On Thursday April 18, Commissioners will welcome a representative of the Shikar-Safari Club International to present the Officer of the Year Award to FWC Officer Bryan Fugate.

Following Executive Director Nick Wiley’s presentation of the Executive Director’s Report, the Commissioners will consider creating a Private Lands Deer Management Permit program that would better meet the needs of landowners and leaseholders, giving them greater flexibility in herd and harvest management while promoting conservation and hunting heritage efforts. This voluntary program would apply to land parcels large enough to implement herd and wildlife management.

Next, Commissioners will consider proposed revisions to gopher tortoise permitting guidelines that are based on stakeholder input and designed to be consistent with the updated Gopher Tortoise Management Plan approved in September 2012. Other proposed improvements to the permitting guidelines include ensuring adequate funding for long-term management of gopher tortoise recipient sites, providing guidelines for capture of tortoises for relocation when using a backhoe, and establishing criteria to suspend, revoke or not renew an authorized gopher tortoise agent permit.

FWC staff will then present draft rules on changes to localized boating-restricted zones in Broward and Pinellas counties.

After staff reports, the public can comment on items not on the agenda. The next regular Commission meeting will be June 11-13 in Lakeland, commencing at 8:30 a.m. each day.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), with help from partner agencies, found a family of five that had been missing in the Everglades since Thursday afternoon.

Scott and Carie Schreck took their children, Drew, Luke and Zane, out for a ride in an airboat at 11 a.m. Thursday. When the Schrecks did not return later that afternoon, concerned family members contacted the FWC.

Once they received the call, FWC officers began searching the area for the family. On Friday the FWC ramped up search efforts with the help of several partner agencies, including Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, Miami-Dade Police Department, Miccosukee Police Department and Broward County Sheriff’s Office. The agencies used several airboats as well as aerial support to help with the search.

Early Friday afternoon, a Miami-Dade Fire Rescue helicopter spotted the family in thick brush in the Everglades and Francis S. Taylor Wildlife Management Area, which is located in Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties.

Because of the heavy vegetation, the rescue effort was difficult and had to be conducted carefully. Ultimately, FWC officers along with Miami-Dade Fire staff were able to free the boat and escort the family safely back to shore.

The family consists of two adults and three children. They were last in contact with the FWC Thursday afternoon. FWC officers began searching for the family Thursday and have ramped up efforts Friday.

The FWC requests that anyone in and around this area keep an eye out for the missing family. They are in a camouflaged airboat (photo below), which may be difficult to see.

If you have any information regarding the search, please contact 911 or the FWC at the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC.