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FWC discusses sheepshead, tripletail and cobia management

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At its July meeting in Orlando, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) discussed several draft changes to the management of sheepshead, tripletail and cobia. The Commission did not take action on draft changes to sheepshead and tripletail in order to give staff time to gather more input from commercial and recreational stakeholders on potential changes. These two fisheries will be brought back as a draft proposal at a future Commission meeting.
Cobia draft changes were approved and will be brought back before the Commission at the September meeting for a final public hearing. These changes are based on species biology, input from stakeholders, and will promote the continued sustainable management of this fishery.
Cobia
Draft rule changes for cobia to be brought back before the Commission in September for a final public hearing include:

  • Creating a Gulf/Atlantic management boundary defining all state waters north of the Monroe-Collier county line as “Gulf state waters” for purposes of managing cobia.
  • Increasing the minimum size limit in Gulf state waters from 33 to 38 inches fork length.
  • Making the recreational and commercial bag limits in Gulf state waters the same by reducing the commercial trip limit from two to one fish per person.
  • Reducing the recreational and commercial vessel limit in Gulf state waters from six to two per vessel per day.

To comment on these proposals, visit MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments or email [email protected].
For more information on these discussions 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.”

Go primitive on St. Vincent Island or join the Dove Club

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St. Vincent Island whitetail hunts

July “Outta’ the Woods”
By Tony Young
“St. Vincent Island is a wonderful place to take kids and other folks to show them what the real old Florida looked like,” Woody Eubanks, 38-year Bay County veteran fireman, said about the 12,490-acre national wildlife refuge.
Eubanks should know. For the past 27 years, he’s taken part in one of two white-tailed deer hunts offered on the undeveloped barrier island in northwest Florida’s Franklin County.
The first deer hunt is Nov. 16-18 and is an archery hunt. Only vertical bows may be used, unless a hunter has a Disabled Crossbow Permit, in which case a crossbow may be used as well.
During the second white-tailed hunt, hunters may use bows, crossbows and muzzleloaders. That hunt is Jan. 25-27, 2018. There are 250 permits available for each of the two hunts at a cost of $27.50 each.
Eubanks, a lifelong Panama City resident, said he’s done both hunts and has taken a deer every year.
 “A big group of us firemen started off doing these hunts together, and over the years, a lot of ’em have dropped off for various reasons, except for my buddy Randy Rowell – he’s been hunting here with me for all 27 years,” Eubanks said. “And I first brought my son out here when he was just 8 years old. He loved it even then, and we’ve made it an annual father-son pilgrimage for 19 years now and don’t plan to stop.”
If you’d like to also experience the thrills and solitude of primitive hunting on St. Vincent Island, all you have to do is buy a permit in July.
Accessing the island
You can only get to St. Vincent Island by boat, and if you don’t bring your own, you can make a deal with one of the local charter captains to take you to the island and bring you back after the hunt. For a list of boat captains that offer this service, contact the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce. 
“We used to take a shuttle boat to and from the island, but I’ve been trailering my own boat over from Panama City the past several years,” Eubanks said. 
Did I mention it’s primitive?
The island has no electricity, so it’s all about primitive camping for three days. You’re allowed to have a small campfire, using only wood you bring with you or deadwood you find on the ground. Eubanks says he meets a lot of good people every year and enjoys sharing his camp cooking with them.
“I recommend bringing a bicycle to get to and from your hunting spot. Over the years, I’ve found that a three-speed beach comber type bike works best out there,” Eubanks said. 
If you harvest any game, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff will pick you and your animal up in one of their trucks. In addition, transportation to and from hunting spots and accommodations are available to hunters with disabilities.
Good game management
“The USFWS staff does an outstanding job, going out of their way to assist us hunters,” Eubanks said. “They’ve also done a great job managing the wildlife. Historically, there have been hundreds of hogs on the island, but due to current management activities, the population is estimated in the dozens.”
How to get a permit
If you’d like to purchase a permit for one or both of these primitive hunts, get the appropriate worksheet by going to MyFWC.com/License and clicking on “Limited Entry/Quota Hunts.” Once you’ve completed it, you may buy the permit at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com or from any county tax collector’s office or retail outlet that sells hunting and fishing supplies, beginning 10 a.m. EDT on July 14. But you had better be quick, ’cause these permits are being offered first-come, first-served until they’re gone.
“I really like the fact that it’s a primitive hunt, and the good Lord willin’, I don’t plan to miss it,” Eubanks said. “If you’re looking for a great hunt in a truly beautiful remote place and don’t mind roughing it a bit, you will really enjoy St. Vincent Island. My only advice is to make sure you’re prepared for inclement weather, ’cause you never know what Mother Nature’s gonna throw at ya.” 
Dove Club
One of the best ways to spend time afield with friends and family is through dove hunting. Because of this, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) created its Special-Opportunity Dove Club Program. It offers hunters the chance to experience exceptional dove hunting on the state’s best public dove fields.
Dove Club permits enable one adult and one youth (age 15 or younger) to hunt all scheduled dates of a dove field, and each hunter gets to take a daily bag limit of birds. New this year, hunters will now have the choice to apply as a “group” with up to three adult hunters. Permits cost $150 per adult hunter. All hunts take place on Saturdays from noon until sunset. Scheduled hunt dates and number of hunts vary between fields.
Last year, 1,303 birds were harvested from five fields. This coming season, there will be the same five special-opportunity dove fields scattered throughout the state from which to choose.
Five fields to choose from
Tenoroc Public Small Game Hunting Area in Polk County was the top producer last year with 382 birds taken. This year, there will be 13 Dove Club permits available to hunt the 50-acre field.
Hunters took 238 doves off Frog Pond North Public Small Game Hunting Area in Miami-Dade County. This year, there will be 23 Dove Club permits available to hunt the 120-acre field.
Caravelle Ranch Wildlife Management Area in Putnam County has three fields that total about 125 acres with 30 Dove Club permits available. Last season, 309 doves were harvested there from just a six-day hunt. 
Hunters harvested 299 birds from Allapattah Flats Public Small Game Hunting Area in Martin County, east of Lake Okeechobee. Thirteen Dove Club permits are available for the 100-acre field. 
The remaining dove field is on Hilochee Wildlife Management Area in Lake County. It has 15 Dove Club permits available to hunt on 80 acres, where 75 doves were taken last season.
How to apply
Dove Club permits will be issued by random drawing during Phase I. That application period runs from 10 a.m. EDT on July 17 through July 27.
After obtaining the correct application worksheet by going to MyFWC.com/License and clicking on “Limited Entry/Quota Hunts,” you can apply for these season passes by filling out a single worksheet (with up to five dove field choices) and turning it in at any county tax collector’s office, license agent or by applying online at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com. During Phase I, hunters may be awarded a permit for only one dove field.
You can check the drawing results as early as July 31 by logging in to your customer account at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com, and a pop-up message will let you know if you are successful. And any applicant who provides an email address will also be notified by email. If you are successful in getting drawn, you can pay for it online by clicking on the “Claim” link in the “Permit Applications” section of your customer account, or at any of the above mentioned license agents by Aug. 10. 
Dove hunters online update
Brochures on these areas are available online at MyFWC.com/Dove. Also at that web address, beginning in late September, hunters will be able to find the most up-to-date harvest information on these five special-opportunity dove fields. The website is updated weekly throughout dove season.
So if you prefer the solitude of hunting whitetails on St. Vincent Island or if you’d like to join the FWC’s Dove Club, you need to get your permit in July.
Here’s wishing you luck in getting one or both of these great hunts!

Additional goliath grouper workshop scheduled July 31 in Lake Worth

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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has scheduled an additional public workshop, to be held July 31 in Lake Worth, to gather public input on goliath grouper management, including the possibility of a limited harvest in Florida state waters.
Fifteen workshops are scheduled in total across the state in August and October, including the July 31 event. Share your input and learn more about the current status of goliath grouper by attending one of these workshops.
Workshops will be from 5 to 8 p.m. local time:

  • July 31: Lake Worth, Lantana Road Branch Library, 4020 Lantana Road.
  • Aug. 1: Key West, Key West Marriott Beachside Hotel, 3841 N. Roosevelt Blvd.
  • Aug. 2: Marathon, Hyatt Place Marathon/Florida Keys, 1996 Overseas Highway.
  • Aug. 3: Key Largo, Murray Nelson Government Center, 102050 Overseas Highway.
  • Aug. 8: Crystal River, Plantation on Crystal River, 9301 W. Fort Island Trail.
  • Aug. 9: Carrabelle, Franklin County Senior Citizens Center, 201 NW Ave. F.
  • Aug 16: Pensacola, Sanders Beach – Corinne Jones Resource Center, 913 S. I St.
  • Aug. 17: Panama City, Bland Conference Center, 4750 Collegiate Drive.
  • Oct. 9: Jacksonville, Pablo Creek Regional Library, 13295 Beach Blvd.
  • Oct. 10: Titusville, American Police Hall of Fame & Museum, 6350 Horizon Drive.
  • Oct. 11: Stuart, Flagler Place, 201 SW Flagler Ave.
  • Oct. 12: Davie, Old Davie School Historical Museum, 6650 Griffin Road.
  • Oct. 16: Pinellas Park, Bill Jackson’s Shop for Adventure, 9501 U.S. Highway 19 N.
  • Oct. 17: Port Charlotte, The Cultural Center of Charlotte County, 2280 Aaron St.
  • Oct. 18: Naples, Collier County Public Library – South Regional, 8065 Lely Cultural Parkway.

If you cannot attend an in-person meeting, submit comments online by visiting MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments. Staff is working on a virtual workshop that should be available online in the near future. Additional details and updates to these meetings will be posted at MyFWC.com/Fishing (click on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Rulemaking” and “Workshops.”) 

FWC urges Fourth of July boaters to be careful, use beacons and enjoy Florida’s waterways

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During the Fourth of July holiday, many people take to the water to celebrate Independence Day. The warm, sunny days of summer combined with viewing fireworks puts many more boats and people on the water in close proximity to one another.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) urges boaters to use caution while boating on this busy holiday. Many boating accidents are caused by inattentiveness or improper lookout.
“Boat operators have a personal responsibility to make sure their passengers are safe and they are not creating a hazard for other boaters,” said Capt. Gary Klein, Florida’s boating law administrator. “We all expect to have a good time when we celebrate the Fourth of July. No one expects anything to go wrong, but that can all change in an instant if someone is not paying attention or is operating under the influence of alcohol or drugs.”
During this weekend, boaters can expect to see an enhanced law enforcement presence and increased messaging about safe boating practices.
Beginning July 1, Floridians have another great reason to purchase and register an emergency locator beacon. Gov. Rick Scott and the Florida Legislature have instituted discounted vessel registration fees for anyone who owns a recreational vessel equipped with an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon or a Personal Locator Beacon.
“For many boaters an EPRIB or PLB can make a big difference if an emergency occurs,” said Klein. “These devices send a signal via satellite to search-and-rescue agencies so rescuers can more quickly locate the boaters in need.”
More information on EPIRBs is available at MyFWC.com/Boating by clicking on “Safety and Education.”
More information on the new discounted vessel registration law can be found at the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles’ website.

On July 4 give space to nesting shorebirds, sea turtles

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As people make plans to go to the beach for the Independence Day holiday, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is reminding the public to help protect beach-nesting shorebirds and sea turtles by giving them space and keeping personal fireworks off the beach. Please respect shorebird and sea turtle areas that are posted to protect these vulnerable species, but remember not all nests are posted.
Shorebirds on Florida’s Atlantic and Gulf coasts are nesting now, with many of them watching over flightless chicks. Threatened species, such as the snowy plover, least tern, black skimmer and American oystercatcher, are among the shorebirds facing conservation challenges and needing help from people to survive. Loud noises can cause adults to flush off their nests and tiny chicks to become separated from parents, leaving them vulnerable to predators, the elements and getting stepped on by beachgoers.
July is also a busy time for sea turtle nesting on Florida beaches, and female sea turtles can become disoriented and fail to lay their eggs if disturbed by bright lights, loud noises and people getting too close to them. Sea turtle hatchlings, also vulnerable to disturbance, are beginning to emerge this month.
“It’s great to celebrate the Fourth of July, but please help our nesting shorebirds and sea turtles by giving them space and keeping personal fireworks off Florida beaches,” said Brad Gruver, who leads the FWC’s Species Conservation Planning Section. “Attending an official fireworks display is a better choice when it comes to helping Florida’s wildlife.”
During the July Fourth holiday, boaters also can help protect nesting birds by not getting close to or making loud noises near Critical Wildlife Areas, expanded by the FWC in 2016 to protect birds and other species during nesting and other critical life stages. The FWC wants boaters and beachgoers to be aware of the 13 newly designated CWAs, most of them small islands, and not all of them have yet been posted.
Boaters also can help conserve wildlife by looking out for and avoiding manatees and sea turtles in coastal waters.
How to be a Fourth of July beach hero:

  • Leave personal fireworks at home and attend an official display instead. The loud sounds and bright lights of impromptu fireworks on Florida’s beaches and waterways can have catastrophic effects on nesting birds and their chicks, as well as nesting sea turtles.
  • Stay out of posted areas, including Critical Wildlife Areas, and keep your distance from nesting sea turtles.
  • If you walk your dog on the beach, keep it on a leash and at a distance from birds, sea turtles and their nests.
  • Do not feed birds or leave trash, picnic leftovers or fish scraps on the beach. These scraps attract predators that will eat the eggs and hatchlings of birds and sea turtles.
  • Wear polarized sunglasses when boating to make it easier to spot manatees and sea turtles. With manatees, look for the circles on the water’s surface indicating their underwater movement or a nose sticking out of the water. Also listen for huffing noises that manatees make when coming up for air. Most of all, slow down and comply with the posted manatee zones.
  • Learn more from the Be a Beach Hero! and Share the Beach with Beach-nesting Birds brochures.
  • Report people disturbing nesting birds and sea turtles and their young by calling the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline: 888-404-FWCC (3922), #FWC or *FWC on a cellphone, or by texting [email protected].

Additional information on Critical Wildlife Areas is at MyFWC.com/CWA.

Scallopers get ready, more waters open for harvest starting July 1

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Celebrate the Fourth of July with bay scallops. State waters from the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County through the Pasco/Hernando county line will be open for scalloping starting July 1. A span of waters in the middle from the Fenholloway River in Taylor County to the Suwannee River in Dixie County opened earlier this month on June 16 and will close on Sept. 10. (See map.)
These new season dates are for 2017 only and are an opportunity to explore regionally-specific bay scallop seasons. Harvesting bay scallops is a fun outdoor activity that the whole family can participate in. It also brings an important economic boost to coastal areas in the open region.
The scallop season in St. Joseph Bay in Gulf County will be July 25 through Sept. 10 and includes all waters in St. Joseph Bay and those west of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County, through the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County.
All state waters from the Pasco-Hernando county line to the Suwannee River Alligator Pass Daybeacon 4 in Levy County, and from north and west of Rock Island near the mouth of the Fenholloway River in Taylor County through the westernmost point of St. Vincent Island in Franklin County will be open July 1 through Sept. 24.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) staff worked with local community leaders on selecting these regional 2017 season dates.
At the December 2017 Commission meeting, staff will review public feedback on these changes and make a recommendation for future management. Staff will host public workshops to gather feedback after the season closes. To submit your feedback now on bay scallop regulations, visit MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments.
Bag and vessel limits throughout the entire bay scallop harvest zone are 2 gallons whole bay scallops in shell or 1 pint of bay scallop meat per person, with a maximum of 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in shell or 1/2 gallon bay scallop meat per vessel.
Scallops may be collected by hand or with a landing or dip net.
Scallops must be landed within the area that is open to harvest.
There is no commercial harvest allowed for bay scallops in Florida.
Be safe when diving for scallops. Stay within 300 feet of a properly displayed divers-down flag or buoy when scalloping in open water and within 100 feet of a properly displayed divers-down flag or buoy if on a river, inlet or navigation channel. Boat operators traveling within 300 feet of a divers-down flag or buoy in open water or 100 feet of one on a river, inlet or navigational channel must slow to idle speed.
Done for the day? Help FWC’s scallop researchers by completing an online survey at svy.mk/bayscallops. Harvesters can indicate where they harvest scallops, how many they collect and how long it takes to harvest them. Participants can email [email protected] to ask questions or send additional information.
Learn more about long-term trends in the open and closed scalloping areas by visiting MyFWC.com/Research and clicking on “Saltwater,” “Molluscs,” “Bay Scallops” and “Bay Scallop Season and Abundance Survey.”
For more information on the season date changes for 2017, visit MyFWC.com/Commission and select “Commission Meetings,” then click on “2016” and “Agenda” under the November meeting.
For information on bay scallop regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Recreational Regulations” and “Bay Scallops.

Help FWC monitor fish health by reporting fish kills

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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) needs your help in monitoring fish health by tracking marine and freshwater fish kills in Florida.
FWC scientists monitor and document fish kills and diseases, as well as other aquatic animal health issues and associated environmental events.
“The public’s involvement is critical to locate, monitor and understand the extent of fish kills. Reporting observations to the hotline ensures a coordinated response to incidents and alleviates public concern,” said Theresa Cody, associate research scientist. “All the data collected from fish kill events are used in conjunction with directed research to further understand the causes of fish kills and disease incidences.”
Many factors can contribute to a fish kill. Weather-related factors are common causes. Sudden temperature fluctuations or extreme temperatures can result in fish kills any time of the year. Hot weather during the summer months can cause fish kills, in part because warm water holds less oxygen than cold water. In addition, a lack of rain during hot-weather months can lower water level in lakes and ponds, resulting in poor water quality, increased density of animals and faster use of dissolved oxygen. Heavy rains can compound the situation by suspending sediments in the water column and by washing vegetation, such as leaves and grass clippings, into the system where they will decompose. The decomposition process also can remove oxygen from water.
The good news is that most natural water bodies are resilient to fish kill events.
The public can report fish kills to the FWC at MyFWC.com/FishKill or by calling the FWC Fish Kill Hotline at 800-636-0511. You can also submit a report through the “FWC Reporter” app on your iOS or Android mobile devices. It is not necessary to report fish kills in man-made retention or private ponds to the FWC. The Fish Kill Hotline is sponsored in part by a U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Wildlife and Sport Fish Restoration Program grant.

Goliath grouper workshops scheduled August through October; FWC needs your input

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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) needs your input on goliath grouper management, including the possibility of a limited harvest in Florida state waters.
The FWC is hosting several goliath grouper public workshops throughout the state in August and October. Share your input and learn more about the current status of goliath grouper by attending one of these workshops. 
Workshops will be from 5 to 8 p.m. local time:

  • Aug. 1: Key West, Key West Marriott Beachside Hotel, 3841 N. Roosevelt Blvd.
  • Aug. 2: Marathon, Hyatt Place Marathon/Florida Keys, 1996 Overseas Highway.
  • Aug. 3: Key Largo, Murray Nelson Government Center, 102050 Overseas Highway.
  • Aug. 8: Crystal River, Plantation on Crystal River, 9301 W. Fort Island Trail.
  • Aug. 9: Carrabelle, Franklin County Senior Citizens Center, 201 NW Ave. F.
  • Aug 16: Pensacola, Sanders Beach – Corinne Jones Resource Center, 913 S. I St.
  • Aug. 17: Panama City, Bland Conference Center, 4750 Collegiate Drive.
  • Oct. 9: Jacksonville, Pablo Creek Regional Library, 13295 Beach Blvd.
  • Oct. 10: Titusville, American Police Hall of Fame & Museum, 6350 Horizon Drive.
  • Oct. 11: Stuart, Flagler Place, 201 SW Flagler Ave.
  • Oct. 12: Davie, Old Davie School Historical Museum, 6650 Griffin Road.
  • Oct. 16: Pinellas Park, Bill Jackson’s Shop for Adventure, 9501 U.S. Highway 19 N.
  • Oct. 17: Port Charlotte, The Cultural Center of Charlotte County, 2280 Aaron St.
  • Oct. 18: Naples, Collier County Public Library – South Regional, 8065 Lely Cultural Parkway.

If you cannot attend an in-person meeting, submit comments online by visiting MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments. Staff is working on a virtual workshop that should be available online in the near future. Additional details and updates to these meetings will be posted at MyFWC.com/Fishing (click on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Rulemaking” and “Workshops.”).

FWC’s Apalachicola River wildlife habitat manager honored by Governor, Cabinet

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Matthew Hortman, a biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) who works on the Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental Area, received the Florida Department of Environmental Protection’s 2016 Resource Manager of the Year award at the June 14 meeting of the Governor and Cabinet in Tallahassee. The award recognizes the outstanding dedication and achievements of people managing state lands to conserve their ecological value and biological diversity.
Hortman has fostered innovative programs to help restore natural communities within the Apalachicola River WEA, which encompasses the river and its floodplains from Liberty County south to Apalachicola Bay in Franklin County. The Apalachicola River basin is recognized as one of the nation’s “biodiversity hot spots,” and the WEA supports many wildlife species, including the bald eagle, osprey, pileated woodpecker, red-cockaded woodpecker, Apalachicola kingsnake, Barbour’s map turtle, alligator snapping turtle and Brazilian free-tailed bat.
On the job, Hortman has reintroduced prescribed burning into previously fire-suppressed areas to improve habitat for wildlife, including the frosted flatwoods salamander, a threatened species. He has worked to enhance recreational opportunities for visitors, who can paddle 100 miles on the Apalachicola River WEA Paddling Trail or go fishing, wildlife viewing, hunting, hiking and camping.
“Matt Hortman’s role as an FWC biologist managing and restoring wildlife habitat in the Apalachicola River Wildlife and Environmental Area is critical to maintaining the diversity of native species there,” said David Johnson, who leads the FWC’s Wildlife and Habitat Management section. “People come to this north Florida river to experience its beauty and the wildlife they can observe while having a great time outdoors.”
This year, the FWC is celebrating the 75th anniversary of Florida’s wildlife management area system. Its nearly 6 million acres are managed for the benefit of fish and wildlife, but also for people who enjoy recreating in some of the wilder and most beautiful places in Florida.
Resident and visitors are encouraged to discover wildlife management areas, such as the Apalachicola River WEA, which are scattered throughout the state. Special WMA anniversary activities and events are scheduled throughout 2017.

FWC Commission to discuss changes to Gulf red snapper season during special meeting Friday June 9

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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will have a special meeting at 2 p.m. EDT Friday, June 9, to discuss the Gulf red snapper season for private recreational anglers in state and federal waters. Recent discussion between the U.S. Department of Commerce and the Gulf states indicate that there may be a way to add a substantial number of additional red snapper fishing days in federal waters this summer of 2017, but Florida would have to give days to get days.
Discussions are focused on aligning a possible expanded federal water season on weekends and holidays through the summer with existing seasons for state waters across all five Gulf states, including Florida. Staff will be requesting Commission direction and guidance regarding this season alignment, which would require giving up some state waters fishing days (during the week) through the summer and possibly in the fall. These changes would apply only to private recreational anglers. No changes to the commercial or recreational for-hire seasons are being considered.
This special meeting is being held by electronic media technology, such as online and via phone, and the Commissioners will be participating remotely via conference call. There will be opportunities for the public to comment during the meeting. Information about how to participate remotely is being finalized and, when posted, will be found at MyFWC.com/About by clicking on “The Commission” and “Commission Meetings.” 
“Red snapper is a popular and economically-important species in Florida, and the FWC is committed to providing as much sustainable recreational fishing opportunity as possible,” said Nick Wiley, FWC executive director. “This meeting will give our Commissioners the opportunity to discuss expanding recreational red snapper fishing opportunities in federal waters, to hear from the public and stakeholders, and provide direction to staff.”
The 2017 red snapper season for private recreational anglers in Florida federal waters was June 1-3. In state waters, the 2017 season is currently 78-days total. The season opened for Saturdays and Sundays starting May 6, and has been open daily since May 27. The season is scheduled to continue being open each day through July 9, then reopen Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in September and October, including Labor Day.
Comments on red snapper seasons can also be sent to FWC staff today through noon Thursday, June 8, at MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments or at [email protected].
Learn more about red snapper at MyFWC.com/Fishing by clicking on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Recreational Regulations” and “Snappers.”