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Deputies: Illegal Fishnet Results In Pasco Man's Arrest

Pinellas County Sheriff's Office

A Holiday man used an illegal gill net to catch 248 pounds of ladyfish Tuesday night, Pinellas County deputies say.

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By JOSH POLTILOVE | The Tampa Tribune

Published: November 12, 2008

Updated: 11/12/2008 02:09 pm

Marvin Rankin

A Holiday man used an illegal gill net to catch 248 pounds of ladyfish Tuesday night, Pinellas County deputies say.

The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Marine Enforcement Unit arrested Marvin Rankin, 36.

Rankin's 25-foot skiff was in St. Joseph Sound, near the Dunedin Causeway, about 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. It was being driven in circles without lights on, and deputies saw a large net being removed from the water by Rankin and another man, deputies say.

"The net was described as a monofilament gill net that was more than 450 feet in length," a sheriff's office news release states. "Florida law prohibits the use of this type of net within state waters, which extend nine nautical miles from shore."

Deputies seized the boat, fish and net as evidence.

The sheriff's office sold the fish to Hernando Beach Seafood Inc., 1078 Island Ave. in Tarpon Springs.

"Deputies tell me that there was a total of 248 pounds of fish sold at a market value of 50 cents per pound for a total of $124," Sgt. Jim Bordner said.

Because fish are perishable, Bordner said, investigators can't keep them as evidence. So fish captured by deputies are sold after deputies consult three vendors, and the money is held as evidence.

A judge's ruling on the outcome of the criminal charges will decide whether the money will be forfeited to the sheriff's office or turned over to Rankin, Bordner said.

Rankin was charged with using an illegal net, improper net-marking requirements and improper carriage of prescribed nets in Florida waters.

His bail was set at $5,500. He has since been released from jail.

The investigation is ongoing.

Reporter Valerie Kalfrin contributed to this report. Reporter Josh Poltilove can be reached at (813) 259-7691.

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