LEE COUNTY, Fla. -- The operator of a Texas-based shrimp boat has been arrested after Lee County deputies searched the boat and found undersized lobster tails and fish.
45-year-old Francisco Hernandez of Brownsville, Texas is facing 47 counts of conservation violations.
According to the Lee County Sheriff's Office, a marine unit conducted a vessel stop on the "Lady Michelle A" Wednesday and received consent from Hernandez to search the boat.
34 spiny lobster tails were found in the boat's freezer. All were undersized and separated from the body, and exceeded the legal bag limit for the boat, which was 24 with 4 people on the boat.
Two undersized Pompano were also located in the ice hold.
Hernandez remains in the Lee County Jail on $35,350 bond.
