Two Florida teens, a 15-year-old from Gulf Stream and a 16-year-old from Boynton Beach, were seen in a viral video dumping trash into the Atlantic Ocean from a boat. They turned themselves in to authorities and are facing a felony pollution charge, which is a third-degree felony with a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $50,000 fine if convicted. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) filed the arrest reports. FWC chairman Rodney Barreto stated that such behavior will not be tolerated, emphasizing the importance of protecting Florida’s natural resources.
The incident took place at the Boca Inlet while the boaters were leaving the annual Boca Bash. The video, posted on YouTube by Wavy Boats, shows the two individuals dumping a trash bin full of garbage into the ocean. The items included plastic water bottles, cans, food bags, plastic cups, and other unidentified items. The video captures the trash scattered across the surface of the ocean, dispersed by the rough waves and wind. The FWC investigator visited the owner of the registered boat, where the 15-year-old’s father indicated they were in the process of retaining legal counsel. The father expressed that the incident did not reflect who they are as a family.
The 16-year-old was also seen dumping trash into the ocean in the video. Witnesses on the boat confirmed the identity of the suspects to the FWC. The parents of one of the teens involved issued an apology to those impacted by the incident and stated that they are cooperating with authorities. They expressed their seriousness in caring for the ocean and community, highlighting the importance of community service and ocean conservation efforts to deepen the young kids’ understanding of environmental responsibility. The family acknowledged the incident as a teaching moment for the teens involved.
Organizers of Boca Bash, where the incident occurred, emphasized that the actions seen in the video were not representative of the event. The community response to the incident has been one of disappointment and concern for protecting the environment. The teens are facing serious consequences for their actions, and it is hoped that they will learn from this experience and contribute positively to ocean conservation efforts in the future. The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting natural resources and promoting environmental awareness among youth to prevent such occurrences in the future.
