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unique position and might be the last stronghold of the species in the State. That puts the <br />County in a position of stewardship as most of their habitat has been destroyed. He asked <br />that enforcement be on taking and/or possession of the crabs. <br />Alice Bard, District Biologist, Florida Department of Environmental Protection, <br />spoke in support of the ordinance. <br />Brian Heady asked the Board to support the ordinance. <br />Paul Tritaik, 445 Croton Avenue, Sebastian, Refuge Manager at Pelican Island <br />Natural Wildlife Refuge, also spoke to the safety issue and noted that he has seen a <br />significant decline in the numbers of the crabs since 1993 when he came to Pelican Island. <br />He also agreed that "possession" should be added to the ordinance. <br />Billi Wagner, 2225 20th Avenue, had done a wildlife survey and found that most of <br />the people catching the crabs were from Seminole and Orange County and were selling the <br />crabs in those areas. These crabs begin the food chain for the Lagoon by tearing up the <br />mangrove leaves so that other species can digest them. She suggested that signs be posted <br />in English and in Spanish. <br />John Beasley, Department of Environmental Protection law enforcement officer, <br />stated that public safety is the biggest issue as the cars cause traffic jams and the people are <br />dashing back and forth across the dark highway. These people also get off the right-of-way <br />into private properties and dig big holes. <br />FEBRUARY 5, 2002 <br />-50- <br />r� � <br />