WILDLIFE ALERT NOW OFFERS REWARDS
FOR REPORTING MARINE LAW VIOLATIONS

A new, expanded Wildlife Alert Program now offers rewards to persons who report marine -- as well as inland -- fishing and hunting law violations.

Wildlife Alert is designed to increase citizen participation in apprehending conservation law violators. Persons who report suspicious activities or actual law violations to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) are eligible for cash rewards if their information leads to an arrest. Rewards range from $50 to $1,000, based on the severity of the violation -- from fishing without a license to intentional taking of endangered species. Callers may remain anonymous and do not have to testify in court.

"The expansion of Wildlife Alert is something to get excited about," Col. Robert L. Edwards, director of the FWC Division of Law Enforcement, said. "For the first time in Florida's history, citizens will be eligible for cash rewards when they report marine law violations. Rewards will be paid for reporting violations of net limitation laws, trap robbing, exceeding the bag limit, endangering marine mammals and violations of other important saltwater resource regulations. We are convinced Wildlife Alert will greatly enhance the protection of Florida's marine resources."

Wildlife Alert was organized in November 1979 under the former Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission. More than 19,000 arrests have been made, and more than $264,000 in rewards paid out since it began, which makes Wildlife Alert one of the most successful citizen-reporting projects in the nation. It also predates all other conservation reward programs except Operation Game Thief in New Mexico.

The Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission became the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission on July 1, 1999 and assumed marine resource responsibility. Work began immediately within the Wildlife Alert Reward Association to expand the program into the marine area. Thirteen private citizens dedicated to the protection and conservation of Florida's fish and wildlife resources make up the association and oversee the program. FWC's executive director, Dr. Allan L. Egbert, appoints members to the association for two-year terms. Penalties assessed by court judges against individuals found guilty of violating conservation laws and tax-deductible donations from individuals and organizations fund the rewards.

Historically, the public has reported violations to Wildlife Alert through five toll-free numbers in the FWC regional offices. Violations were reported to the former Florida Marine Patrol (FMP) through 1-800-DIAL-FMP. The FWC now has one toll-free line for reporting all violations. The new statewide number is 1-888-404-FWCC or cellular, #FWC. This line should be used to report both marine law violations to the FWC as well as other wildlife law violations.

Duty officers answering Wildlife Alert lines will provide a code number to callers and give instructions on how to follow up on their reports. Duty officers will then immediately provide the information by radio to FWC law enforcement officers working marine or inland areas. This will ensure a quick response to the scene. Convictions are not required for a caller to be eligible for a reward, however, callers must include enough information about the violation and a description of the suspects, vessels, registration numbers, vehicles, etc. to enable officers to investigate and make an arrest.

For information about the Wildlife Alert program, contact Bureau Chief Kyle Hill at 850-410-1964.