A Miramar man is facing charges after state wildlife officers say they found him in possession of a goliath grouper at a local RV resort and marina.
On Oct. 17, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commissioner officers Alexander Oravec and Paris Winter responded to a report of an individual walking around Fiesta Key RV Resort and Marina in Layton and carrying a goliath grouper.
Wildlife officers say the man, later identified as 47-year-old Javier Rodriguez, admitted he caught the goliath grouper earlier in the day. He proceeded to lead officers to a freezer inside his rental apartment where the goliath grouper was located.
Officers arrested Rodriguez and took him to the Plantation Key Detention Center for illegally possessing a goliath grouper. Investigation revealed Rodriguez was on federal probation.
Per FWC, harvesting a goliath grouper is prohibited without a permit. Those who capture a goliath grouper without permit should immediately release the fish alive, unharmed and using proper fish handling techniques.
