Man cited for undersized stone crab after traffic violation

A 73-year-old Leisure City, Florida man was cited Thursday afternoon for possessing an undersized stone crab claw.

Dennis Lloyd Fearon was given a mandatory notice to appear in court for possession of a undersized stone crab claw. He was also cited for driving through a safety zone.

Deputy Edward Swogger was on patrol at 4:41 p.m. near Mile Marker 108 observing northbound traffic. Deputy Swogger saw a white Dodge Ram pickup truck pass another vehicle by illegally using the turn/merge lane.

Deputy Swogger stopped the truck. The driver/sole occupant was identified as Fearon. Deputy Swogger saw a white bucket in the back of the truck. A stone crab and a small stone crab claw were inside the bucket. Deputy Swogger immediately identified the stone crab claw as likely undersized. Deputy Swogger’s measuring device confirmed the claw was undersized.

The stone crab and the undersized claw were returned to the ocean.

Stone crab claws must measure 2 ¾ inches to be legally harvested. Stone crab season runs from Oct. 15 through May 15.

For more information about stone crab regulations, go to https://myfwc.com/research/saltwater/crustaceans/stone-crabs/faq/