According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), seven individuals are facing charges after the recovery of over 10,000 pounds of illegally harvested saw palmetto berries in western Palm Beach County.
The FWC stated that the recovery took place between Aug. 14 and Aug. 29 from the J.W. Corbett Wildlife Management Area, a protected area. They reported that seven people were arrested on various charges, including seven felonies, nine misdemeanors, and eight noncriminal citations.
In Florida, a permit from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services is required to harvest and sell saw palmetto berries. Saw palmettos serve as a habitat and food source for over 200 wildlife species, as noted by FWC.
FWC mentioned that the illegal harvesting of saw palmetto berries has been an ongoing issue in Florida, especially during late summer when the berries ripen from August to October. These berries are commonly used as a dietary supplement and for treating various ailments.
The Endangered Plant Advisory Council recommended the addition of saw palmetto to the commercially exploited plant list, and FWC emphasized their commitment to addressing this violation. For more information on saw palmetto berries and related regulations, click here.
This article was originally published by Aja Dorsainvil on Scripps News West Palm Beach.
