Capital Soup

Florida News Straight From the Source

You are here: Home / Archives for Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

New FWC rule prohibits feeding of wild monkeys

Posted on

At its December 2017 meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) voted to prohibit the feeding of wild monkeys in order to promote greater public safety and decrease health concerns associated with these animals. This amendment to the General Prohibition Rule went into effect Feb. 11. Free-roaming, non-human primates join coyotes, foxes, raccoons, bears, pelicans and sandhill cranes as species included in this rule.

“The health and safety of the public is the Commission’s number one priority. Feeding wild monkeys creates an elevated risk to human health because it brings them into closer contact with people,” said Dr. Thomas Eason, Assistant Executive Director of the FWC. “This amended rule provides our staff the tools we need to effectively address a situation that can have serious consequences.”

As the population of wild monkeys has increased across the state, public health and safety concerns have also increased due to public contact with the animals. In an effort to reduce the risk of public contact, the FWC adopted an amendment to the General Prohibition Rule to include the prohibition of feeding these animals.

Currently, there are three established species of wild monkeys in Florida: squirrel monkeys, vervet monkeys and rhesus macaques. When these animals are fed by humans, they often develop a dependency on humans as a source of food and become territorial over the area where feeding occurs. This dependency can lead to increased aggression, which may result in injuries and spread of disease to humans.

Wild monkeys are documented carriers for various diseases. Rhesus macaques can carry herpes B, a potentially fatal disease in humans if not treated immediately. While there are no documented cases of free-roaming macaques transmitting herpes B to humans in the wild in Florida, the risk for exposure will continue to grow as public contact with these animals increases.

“The implementation of this amendment allows FWC officers to better educate, inform and encourage the public to refrain from feeding these animals,” said Col. Curtis Brown, Division Director of the FWC Division of Law Enforcement.

For more information, visit MyFWC.com/wildlifehabitats and click on “Nonnative Species.”

FWC Biologist Kipp Frohlich Receives Rodney Barreto Employee of the Year Award for Imperiled Species Work

Posted on

The nonprofit Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida has announced Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) biologist Kipp Frohlich as its 2017 – 2018 Rodney Barreto FWC Employee of the Year.

The award was presented to Frohlich at the FWC’s public meeting on Feb. 7. 

“We are honoring Kipp Frohlich today for many reasons, including his effective work over the past year bringing forward for Commission approval a plan to create 13 new Critical Wildlife Areas for protection, and improve five existing areas,” said Foundation Board Chair Richard A. Corbett. “These fragile nesting and roosting colonies for pelicans, herons, egrets, terns, plovers and other colonial shorebirds are located around the state and have been stressed by nearby human activity. Kipp and his FWC colleagues held 14 public workshops, working with federal agencies and many local stakeholders to strike a balance between conservation and nearby recreation. Formal designation and management improvements for all 18 were approved unanimously by the Commission.” 

During his 30-year career, Frohlich has worked to resolve potential conflicts regarding the management of imperiled species. This includes representing FWC on Manatee Recovery Teams, working to improve stakeholder and partner participation in sea turtle conservation, and representing FWC on the Panther Recovery Implementation Team. While working to achieve consensus on these often-contentious conservation issues, Frohlich has earned the respect and trust of stakeholders and partners.      

As deputy director of the FWC’s Division of Habitat and Species Conservation, Frohlich played a key role in developing FWC’s scientifically robust Imperiled Species Management Plan for 57 priority rare and endangered species in Florida. Development of the ISMP required involvement of diverse stakeholders and wide-ranging partner engagement. He was intricately involved in the legal and policy elements of the plan, and continues to support implementation of the plan. 

“I’m very honored to receive this award,” Frohlich said. “FWC is a family and everything cited by the Foundation required the teamwork of many passionate people with whom I’m honored to work.”

The Rodney Barreto FWC Employee of the Year Award is named for its first recipient, Miami native and entrepreneur Rodney Barreto, who served as chair of the FWC for seven of his 10 years as Commissioner. Mr. Barreto currently serves on the Board of the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida and other conservation organizations.

The nonprofit Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida supports the work of the FWC and other public and private conservation organizations, with offices in Tallahassee and St. Petersburg. The Foundation has raised and given away more than $26 million for conservation and outdoor programs for youth since its founding in 1994. For more information about the Foundation, visit wildlifeflorida.org and our social media sites.

FWC’s Scott Sanders Receives Humphrey Award for Career Achievement

Posted on

Parks and nature preserves have often been called America’s great gift to the world. They are, but by themselves, they’re not enough to ensure a lasting future for American’s wildlife. How privately-owned lands are managed has a huge impact on wildlife populations. 

Fortunately, America has an equally remarkable legacy of wise land management by private landowners. In Florida, in fact, more than 3.3 million privately owned acres are enrolled in Florida’s Wildlife Best Management Practices for Agriculture and Silviculture. One of the leaders in this effort, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Scott Sanders, was honored this week for a career devoted to working with private landowners to improve wildlife habitat. 

Sanders was presented the 2017-2018 Louise Ireland Humphrey Achievement Award by the Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida at the FWC’s public meeting Feb. 7. Named for the late conservationist, Red Hills landowner and former FWC Commissioner Louise Ireland Humphrey, the award was created to recognize outstanding service and achievement by FWC staff over the course of their careers.

“We are honoring Scott Sanders today for his career-long dedication to wildlife management on private lands,” said Foundation CEO Andrew Walker. “He has been one of Florida’s most consistent advocates within government for acknowledging the needs and perspectives of private landowners on conserving fish and wildlife. He led the team that created the Wildlife Best Management Practices now in place for 3.3 million acres of private Florida lands.” 

Sanders was also an early advocate for “adaptive management,” helping develop and promote a quantifiable approach to land stewardship that adapts the latest scientific information and on-the-ground practices to specific landscapes, adjusting management strategies as needed to maximize habitat quality while meeting the landowner’s other needs. Entire landscapes have benefitted from this landowner-by-landowner approach: Florida’s once-threatened longleaf pine ecosystem, for example, has increased from 2 to 4 million acres during Sanders’ career.  

“It’s a great honor to receive the Louise Ireland Humphrey award,” Sanders said. “Working with private landowners for so many years has been very rewarding and has benefitted fish and wildlife everywhere in Florida.”

The nonprofit Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida supports the work of the FWC and other public and private conservation organizations, with offices in Tallahassee and St. Petersburg. The Foundation has raised and given away more than $26 million for conservation and outdoor programs for youth since its founding in 1994. For more information about the Foundation, visit wildlifeflorida.org and our social media sites.

FWC approves guidelines for conserving 8 imperiled species

Posted on

Tricolored Heron. (FWC photo)

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) today approved Species Conservation Measures and Permitting Guidelines for eight state-threatened species that are among the 57 species in the agency’s Imperiled Species Management Plan.

Each of the eight species – Barbour’s map turtle, Big Cypress fox squirrel, Black Creek crayfish, blackmouth shiner, Florida burrowing owl, Florida pine snake, saltmarsh topminnow and Santa Fe crayfish — now has its own Species Conservation Measures and Permitting Guidelines.

The species guidelines are designed to be a tool for landowners, consultants, agency partners and other interested parties on how to conserve these eight imperiled species.

“Landowners will have predictability, can avoid pitfalls and can avoid the taking of wildlife,” said Chairman Bo Rivard. “These guidelines will really help.”

The guidelines offer options for avoidance, minimization and mitigation of take of the species. They provide species-specific information on key issues relevant to real-world conservation, including:

  • Essential behavioral patterns,
  • Survey methods,
  • Recommended conservation practices,
  • Exemptions or authorizations for take,
  • Coordination with other regulatory programs, and
  • Permitting options for achieving conservation or scientific benefit.

During 2017, the FWC reached out to stakeholders on multiple occasions, through meetings, workshops and webinars, to discuss and get input on the development of the species guidelines.

“Our goal is to keep all of these species around for current and future generations,” said Brad Gruver, who leads the FWC’s Species Conservation Planning Section. “These guidelines will greatly benefit our efforts in doing so.”

For an overview of how Florida conserves imperiled species, go to MyFWC.com/Imperiled.

FWC extends the permit spawning season closure inside Special Permit Zone

Posted on

At its February meeting in Tallahassee, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved a measure to extend the spawning season closure for permit inside the Special Permit Zone in south Florida.

The change, effective April 1, 2018, will add April to the existing May-through-July season closure for the harvest of permit inside the Special Permit Zone, which includes all state and federal waters south of Cape Sable on the Gulf coast, and south of Cape Florida on the Atlantic coast including all of the Florida Keys and Biscayne Bay.

Recent research confirms spawning-size permit are visiting known south Florida multi-species aggregation sites from April through July.

For more information or to view the presentations given at the Commission meeting, visit MyFWC.com/Commission and select “Commission Meetings” then click on the link below “Next Meeting.”

For information on permit, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Recreational Regulations” and “Permit, Florida pompano, African pompano.”

Shikar-Safari honors 2018 Wildlife Officer of the Year

Posted on

The Shikar-Safari Club International today named Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Officer Michael Bibeau its 2018 Wildlife Officer of the Year during the Commission meeting near Tallahassee.

Shikar-Safari Club International is a conservation-based organization that presents awards annually to wildlife law enforcement officers in all states, provinces and territories in the United States and Canada.

The annual award honors a state officer whose efforts show outstanding performance and achievement among sworn conservation law enforcement personnel.

“Officer Bibeau is a fine example of our dedicated law enforcement officers who are out there every day protecting the public and conserving Florida’s natural resources,” said Commission Chairman Bo Rivard. “We are pleased to recognize his accomplishments and are honored to have him representing the FWC.”

Originally from Pinellas County, where he now patrols, Bibeau makes a positive impact both on- and off-duty, and his actions set an example that reaches statewide. He serves as a field training officer and has experience serving on the FWC’s elite Special Operations Group.

Bibeau was recently selected to be a member of the inaugural Advanced Conservation Academy where he traveled and trained in every region of the state. This year-long professional development program is offered to select sworn members, giving them the opportunity to travel to each region in the state to develop and hone their skills.

This past year, Officer Bibeau rescued four occupants of an overturned personal water craft who had fallen off and were being swept out to sea by strong currents, logged 27 search-and-rescue hours, removed two impaired vessel operators from the water, addressed numerous resource misdemeanors, issued three major resource violations and promoted conservation stewardship and education by issuing multiple warnings. He logged more than 1,300 water patrol hours and more than 133 shellfish patrol days, and maintains a strong working relationship with other local agencies.

In addition to other outreach events, Officer Bibeau participates in the Great American Teach-In program, taking time to provide elementary and middle school students real life insights into the world of a conservation law enforcement officer, while reinforcing the importance of education for success in any occupation. He is a steadfast ambassador for conservation and a positive influence on visitors and residents of Florida.

He was also awarded the North American Wildlife Enforcement Officers Association 2017 Lifesaving Award for saving the life of a drowning man who jumped off the Tierra Verde Bridge.

“This is a great honor and I’m blessed to be asked to represent the FWC throughout the year. I want to offer my thanks to my lieutenant and my squad, who motivate me to work hard every day,” said Bibeau.

To learn more about becoming an FWC officer, visit JoinFWC.com.

FWC to meet Feb. 7-8 near Tallahassee

Posted on

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will meet Feb. 7-8 at the Florida Public Safety Institute, 85 Academy Drive, Havana, FL 32333. The Institute is west of Midway on U.S. 90. Both sessions are open to the public.
The FWC is committed to providing opportunity for public input at each Commission meeting. As standard practice, the Commission welcomes public input regarding agenda items using the approved speaker registration process and time limits. To accommodate as much input as possible from those attending, the Chairman reserves the right to designate the amount of time given to each speaker, including time donation to other speakers.
The meeting will start at 8:30 a.m., and the public will be provided opportunities to speak on agenda items each day. The Commission will also provide time for public comment on subjects not on the agenda at the end of the first day, Feb. 7. Those who wish to offer comments during this period will be asked to make sure their comments are not related to any agenda item.
For the full Feb. 7-8 agenda and links to background reports, go to MyFWC.com/Commission and select “Commission Meetings.” Those who cannot attend can follow coverage at Twitter.com/MyFWC (@MyFWC) and join in the conversation by using the #FWC2017 hashtag. Check the Florida Channel for possible live video coverage at TheFloridaChannel.org.

Monofilament recycling website gets new look, interactive map

Posted on

Do you know how or where to recycle your used monofilament or fluorocarbon fishing line? How about how to prevent your fishing gear from negatively impacting wildlife and their habitat?
You can learn all of this and more by visiting the newly updated Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Monofilament Recovery and Recycling Program’s website at MRRP.MyFWC.com.
Use this website to locate a monofilament recycling bin near you by using the new interactive recycling bin map; watch a video on how to make your own monofilament recycling bin; join an existing organized cleanup event or create your own; or learn about our many statewide and national partners.
Don’t forget to join our community online by following us at Facebook.com/FloridaMRRP.

Florida scrub-jays play starring role at Feb. 3 festival

Posted on

FWC photo by Craig Faulhaber

Florida scrub-jays play a starring role among the many birds you see in Florida. They are the only bird species that lives exclusively in this state. You won’t find them anywhere else.
They are in the spotlight again at the upcoming Florida Scrub-Jay and Wildlife Festival on Saturday, Feb. 3, at the Lyonia Preserve in Deltona. The free festival in Volusia County offers an 8 a.m. early-bird hike, and continues from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with eco-buggy rides, guided hikes, wildlife exhibits and presentations, and activities for kids.
Scrub-jay populations have decreased by about 90 percent since the late 1800s, primarily because of the loss of scrub habitat in Florida. Lack of natural or prescribed fire to maintain vegetation height and sandy openings on scrub lands also contributed to their decline. Florida scrub-jays are currently listed as a federally-designated threatened species.
Increase your opportunities for seeing and helping Florida scrub-jays by:

  • Visiting the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) wildlife management areas with scrub habitat – such as Lake Wales Ridge Wildlife and Environmental Area, Salt Lake WMA and Platt Branch WEA – to watch Florida scrub-jays in the wild. Ocala National Forest and Seminole State Forest also are good places to look for scrub-jays.
  • Volunteering with Jay Watch, a citizen science effort coordinated by Audubon Florida. Jay Watch volunteers are trained to conduct scientific surveys that measure the population numbers and nesting success of Florida scrub-jays. The FWC is a Jay Watch partner.
  • Keep your cats indoors if you live near scrub-jay habitat.
  • Reduce use of pesticides around your home, since scrub-jays feed on insects.
  • Report harassment or harm to scrub-jays or their nests to FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline, 888-404-FWCC (3922).

What is the Florida scrub-jay call like? More like a screech than a song, since it is related to species like the crow. And like crows, scrub-jays are bold, smart and full of personality. Hear the sound of a Florida scrub-jay by going to AllAboutBirds.org and searching for Florida scrub-jay.
Florida scrub-jay biology and behavior information can be found at MyFWC.com.

Recreational and commercial management changes for cobia in state waters of the Gulf effective Feb. 1

Posted on

Several changes to the management of cobia in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico will go into effect Feb. 1. These changes were approved at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) meeting in December.
These changes will further promote sustainable management of this fishery and were developed in coordination with anglers who were concerned about the fishery. The changes will apply to all state waters north of the Monroe-Collier county line.
Changes effective Feb. 1, 2018, include:

  • Making the recreational and commercial bag limits for cobia in Gulf state waters the same by reducing the commercial limit from two to one fish per person.
  • Reducing the recreational and commercial vessel limit in Gulf state waters from six to two cobia per vessel, per day.

The current 33-inch minimum size limit will not change.
Learn more about cobia online at MyFWC.com/Fishing (click on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Recreational Regulations” and “Cobia”).