JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s Northwest Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) Team was awarded for their dedication to enforcing the federal fishing regulations in the Gulf of Mexico.
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council awarded Lieutenant Scott Smith, Senior Officers Matt Cushing and Pete Rockwell, Officer Specialists Tom Nelson, Matt Land, Greg Matechik, and Officer Tristan Hartzog the 2023 Law Enforcement Officer/Team of the Year.
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In 2023, the Northwest OPV team spent over 10,000 hours on water patrol and 500 hours on federal fisheries. They initiated 71 federal cases, public safety, disaster response, community outreach, and boating safety, all while performing their everyday jobs.
“The team whole heartedly embraces the agency’s core missions and priority patrols. They are highly flexible and able to focus their patrols where they will be most beneficial to the resource and the public,” said Major Robby Creech with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. “The squad truly has a passion for the outdoors. Whether it’s 80 miles out in the Gulf of Mexico, or in far back in the woods waiting on a hunter to show, I am truly proud to work alongside every member of this team.”
The council’s team/officer acknowledges services that go above and beyond duty requirements and recognizes them for their distinguished service, professionalism, and dedication to enforcing federal fishing regulations in the Gulf of Mexico.