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 Lionfish Challenge begins

Posted on

As another successful Lionfish Removal and Awareness
weekend wraps up, a new Lionfish Challenge begins

Residents and visitors across Florida enjoyed another weekend of learning about and helping remove lionfish as they participated in events during the third annual Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day, May 20 (first Saturday after Mother’s Day). More than 4,000 people attended the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) two-day festival in Pensacola, where visitors got to taste lionfish prepared by celebrity chefs, watch fillet demonstrations, participate in family-friendly games, visit art and conservation booths and much more. Despite three statewide tournaments being cancelled due to weather, over 12,000 lionfish were removed from Florida waters, including 3,868 lionfish that were removed during two days of rough weather from the Pensacola-based Lionfish World Championship.
“Those that are passionate about removing lionfish from Florida waters really showed their dedication this weekend,” said Jessica McCawley, director of FWC’s Division of Marine Fisheries Management. “The weather was not ideal, and yet the festivals were still busy with people excited to learn about and taste lionfish. We always want to encourage safety first and foremost, and we’re glad everyone was able to safely travel offshore to remove a significant number of lionfish.”
The Lionfish Challenge, a removal incentive program, also started May 20, and runs through Sept. 4. Nearly 150 people have already registered to participate in the statewide Challenge, which rewards lionfish harvesters with prizes such as T-shirts, tumblers, pole spears, an extra spiny lobster per day during the two-day sport season, and much more. Think you have what it takes to be crowned the next Lionfish King/Queen or Commercial Champion? Sign up and learn more today by visiting MyFWC.com/Lionfish.
Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day was created by FWC Commissioners to raise awareness about lionfish – a nonnative, invasive species that have a potential negative impact on native species and habitat. 
The FWC thanks all of the sponsors and organizations across the state that helped make this Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day event a success.
Remember, lionfish and other exotic pets that can no longer be cared for should never be released into Florida waters or lands. To learn more about where to surrender an exotic pet for adoption, visit MyFWC.com/WildlifeHabitats and click on “Nonnative Species” and “Exotic Pet Amnesty Program.”
Statewide Lionfish Events Removal Totals:

  • 3,868 – Lionfish World Championship – Pensacola (plus 150 submitted late).
  • 2,175 – Lionfish World Championship Pre-Tournament – Pensacola.
  • 4,618 – Northeast Florida Lionfish Blast – Jacksonville (monthlong event).
  • 929 – Lion Tamer Tournament – Panama City Beach (plus another 354 removed prior to the event).
  • 72 – Force-E Scuba Centers Lionfish Removal Day – Pompano.
  • Cancelled – Reef Environmental Education Foundation – Key Largo.
  • Postponed – Sebastian Lionfish Fest – Sebastian.
  • Cancelled – Florida Skin Divers Association Lionfish Calcutta – St. Petersburg.
  • Cancelled – Destin Lionfish Tournament – Destin.

Facebook:

Website:

Moving video testimonials encourage boaters to wear life jackets

Posted on

For National Safe Boating Week, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is releasing compelling life jacket testimonials from three north Florida families whose lives have been changed by wearing – or not wearing – a life jacket when things went wrong on the water. These dramatic accounts provide vital information and a call to action for every boater to enjoy Florida’s beautiful waters safely while wearing a life jacket. In conjunction with the release of the 2016 Boating Accident Statistical Report, these videos present strong arguments for boating safety and life jacket use.
The three testimonials recount events that happened to Tony Spivey and his son, Honor; PJ Wheetly, whose beloved stepfather tragically died while boating without wearing a life jacket; and Larry “Doc” Cox, whose life was saved by the life jacket he purchased that same morning. 
“The stories of these families really bring home the message that it doesn’t matter who you are, you should always wear a life jacket while enjoying Florida’s waterways,” said Capt. Tom Shipp of FWC’s Boating and Waterways Section. “The videos are dramatic accounts given by the people themselves, and are reminders of just how important it is to make sure we all come home after a great day on the water.”
Tony and Honor were on their way back to a boat ramp after participating in a fishing tournament in the Gulf of Mexico off St. Marks, when their boat took an unexpected sharp turn, and father and son ended up in the water. Honor was able to swim to a buoy, but an exhausted Tony feared his son would watch him drown. If not for FWC officers arriving at the right moment, their story might be different.
“I look back and there’s just so many things that could have happened differently. And it all could have been avoided by simply having a life jacket on,” Spivey said in the video.
PJ Wheetly’s stepdad, Curtis, was a lifelong boater and angler. One Sunday morning, he set out for a quick trip on the Apalachicola River, and fell overboard and drowned. 
“He didn’t put his life jacket on that day, for some reason, I don’t know why,” said Wheetly. “He was the best dad. We always thought he was the invincible man. It can happen to anybody. You just don’t know how important it is until you lose somebody.”
On a brisk spring day in March, Larry “Doc” Cox, who had spent a considerable amount of time on the water throughout his life, was anxious to go fishing after a recently broken leg had, for some time, prevented him. He went out on the Shoal River, but not before stopping at a local store to pick up a life jacket, which he had forgotten to pack on the boat that morning. At a bend in the river, he noticed his boat taking on water, and before he knew it, he was in the water, holding on to a log in the river. He had his life jacket on, however, which saved his life. 
“It’s with the fate of my God and that life vest. I had no idea that life vest was going to save my life, and it did,” said Cox.
The FWC encourages boaters to find a comfortable life jacket and always wear it while boating. According to the recently released FWC 2016 Boating Accident Statistical Report, 60 percent of the boating deaths were due to drowning. Events can cause a boater to end up in the water unexpectedly, and a person will not have time to grab their life jacket before they find themselves in the water.
The testimonial videos can be viewed on FWC’s YouTube channel, or downloaded in high-resolution on Vimeo.

Gag season starts June 1 in Gulf federal and most state waters

Posted on

Gag grouper will open for recreational harvest in most state and all federal Gulf of Mexico waters June 1, and will remain open through Dec. 31.
Monroe County is excluded from this season because it follows the Atlantic state season. Franklin, Wakulla, Taylor and Jefferson counties are also excluded from this opening because they have their own season from April 1-June 30. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will be discussing extending this shorter four-county season at the July Commission meeting in Orlando. Learn more or comment on these changes at MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments.
Gulf state waters are from shore to 9 nautical miles. Federal waters begin where state waters end and extend to 200 nautical miles.
The minimum size limit for gag grouper in Gulf waters is 24 inches total length, and the daily bag limit is two fish per person within the four-grouper-per-person aggregate limit.
If you plan to fish for gag grouper in Gulf state or federal waters from a private recreational vessel, you must sign up as a Gulf Reef Fish Angler (annual renewal is required). To learn more, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Recreational Regulations” and “Gulf Reef Fish Survey” under “Reef Fish.” Sign up today at GoOutdoorsFlorida.com.
Learn more about grouper at MyFWC.com/Fishing by clicking on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Recreational Regulations” and “Groupers.”

Atlantic snook to close in state and federal waters

Posted on

The recreational harvest of snook in Atlantic state and federal waters will close on June 1.
Snook is also currently closed for harvest in Gulf of Mexico state and federal waters, and will reopen for harvest in Atlantic and Gulf state and federal waters Sept. 1.
Unique to the region, snook are one of the many reasons Florida is the Fishing Capital of the World. Seasonal harvest closures help conserve Florida’s valuable snook populations and improve the fishery for the future.
Snook can be caught and released during the closed season, but anglers should use proper handling methods to ensure the species’ abundance for anglers today and generations to come. To learn more and see a video about catch-and-release fishing and the best way to handle a fish, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater Fishing,” then “Recreational Regulations” and “Fish Handling.”
Anglers can report their catch on the Snook & Gamefish Foundation’s website at SnookFoundation.org by clicking on the “Angler Action Program” link in the bar at the top of the page.
Learn more about recreational fishing at MyFWC.com/Fishing by clicking on “Saltwater Fishing” and “Recreational Regulations.”

FWC uncovers major alligator violations in long-term covert investigation

Posted on

On Wednesday, May 24, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) officers arrested nine suspects for violations of Florida’s laws pertaining to possession of American alligator, alligator egg harvesting, interstate transport of alligator eggs and hatchlings, falsifying official records, dealing in stolen property, conspiracy to commit racketeering, racketeering and other wildlife violations. These serious charges include first-, second- and third-degree felonies.
These charges are the result of a multiyear undercover operation initiated in 2015 by the FWC Division of Law Enforcement’s Investigations Section. FWC undercover officers managed to become part of the alligator farming community to gain information and evidence about poachers who were breaking the law in regard to the FWC’s public and private lands alligator egg harvesting program and alligator farming.
During the course of the investigation, FWC undercover officers documented numerous criminal violations, resulting in the arrest of nine individuals for 44 felony violations.
Investigators documented over 10,000 illegally harvested eggs during the course of the undercover operation.
“Many of these suspects were part of a criminal conspiracy,” said Maj. Grant Burton, head of the FWC’s Investigations Section. “Their crimes pose serious environmental and economic consequences. These suspects not only damage Florida’s valuable natural resources, they also harm law-abiding business owners by operating black markets that undermine the legal process.”
Wildlife conservation laws are in place to protect and manage Florida’s precious natural resources for legitimate use by the public. When people break those laws, they jeopardize the ability of the state to manage those resources for the future. If left unchecked, this valuable natural resource could have been severely damaged.
There are aspects of this investigation that are still ongoing, and the FWC expects more arrests to be forthcoming.
The public can help by reporting suspected violations to the FWC. To make a report, call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or text [email protected].
The suspects and their charges are as follows:
Robert Kelly Albritton (DOB 01/21/1981) of Arcadia

  • One felony count of Racketeering.
  • One felony count of Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering.
  • One felony count of Scheme to Defraud.
  • Fourteen felony counts of Unlawful Possession of Alligator Eggs/Alligators.

Robert Thomas Beasley (DOB 02/05/1979) of Arcadia

  • One felony count of Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering.
  • Six felony counts of Unlawful Possession of Alligator Eggs/Alligators.

David Wentworth Nellis (DOB 10/10/1943) of Punta Gorda

  • One felony count of Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering.
  • One felony count of Uttering a Forged Instrument.
  • One felony count of Unlawful Possession of Alligator Eggs.

Carl Wayne Pickle Jr. (DOB 12/22/1969) of Arcadia

  • One felony count of Conspiracy to Commit Racketeering.
  • Four felony counts of Unlawful Possession of Alligator Eggs/Alligators.

Wayne Andrew Nichols (DOB 07/15/1975) of Arcadia

  • Three felony counts of Unlawful Possession of Alligators.
  • One felony count of Unlawful Killing of White Ibis.
  • One first-degree misdemeanor count of Attempting to Take White Ibis.

Christopher Lee Briscall (DOB 01/28/1995) of Fort Denaud

  • One felony count of Unlawful Possession of Alligators.
  • One felony count of Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Stolen Property.

Matthew Edward Evors (DOB 10/20/1992) of Cape Coral

  • One felony count of Unlawful Possession of Alligators.
  • One felony count of Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Stolen Property.

Isaiah Joseph Romano (DOB 12/17/1994) of Fort Denaud

  • One felony count of Unlawful Possession of Alligators.
  • One felony count of Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Stolen Property.

Jacob Oliver Bustin-Pitts (DOB 11/11/1993) of Fort Denaud

  • One felony count of Unlawful Possession of Alligators.
  • One felony count of Conspiracy to Commit Dealing in Stolen Property.

Knowing how to catch a giant (tarpon) is half the battle

Posted on

“Gone Coastal” column
By Justin Wallheiser
Have you ever felt the power of a large tarpon as it surges into the air and displays jaw-dropping acrobatics? Even for seasoned tarpon anglers, that first jump sends a rush of adrenaline through their veins like nothing else. Tarpon fishing in Florida has no equal, so it’s only natural that anglers from all over the country, and many other parts of the world, travel here to experience the challenge of catching and releasing a giant. Tarpon fishing is also extremely valuable to the state’s economy.
Techniques for tarpon fishing vary widely depending on geographic location and an angler’s personal preference. Fly-fishing is an extremely popular method in all areas, but you can also catch them by jigging, casting or trolling artificial lures, flat-lining a live bait, or by placing a frozen mullet, menhaden or other natural bait right on the bottom. What works well in one area may be ineffective in another, so it’s important to know how the knowledgeable anglers in the area are fishing.
Once you are lucky enough to hook a tarpon, the next challenge is keeping the fish on for the entire fight. Tarpon are very good at throwing the hook right back at you, so don’t be disappointed if you do not successfully leader a fish on the first few hook-ups.
As magnificent as tarpon are, they are also susceptible to population declines because they are slow-growing and late to become sexually mature. This means that if many tarpon are removed from the population – whether by people or predators – it takes a long time for the population to recover.
Thanks to Florida’s conservation efforts, tarpon populations are currently thriving, but we need your help to keep the population abundant. Support tarpon conservation by being aware of and following special regulations that pertain to tarpon, and by practicing good fish-handling.
Regulations and best handling practices
For starters, tarpon are a catch-and-release-only fish. The only exception to this is if you are taking a tarpon for purposes of a new IGFA world record and have the required Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) tarpon tag.
Because tarpon will fight to the point of exhaustion, FWC also established some common-sense handling requirements designed to increase tarpon survival rates. Large fish over 40 inches in length must remain in the water at all times, including when being de-hooked and photographed. While it’s natural to want a good photo of your catch, dragging a large tarpon onto a boat deck, pier or beach can be a death sentence for the fish. The goal should always be to keep the head and gills in the water as much as possible.
Following FWC’s fish-handling guidelines is also another good way to ensure tarpon survive to be caught another day. A tarpon exhausted from the fight is more likely to succumb to predation or die from other causes. You can help prevent this by using tackle that is heavy enough to land the fish quickly, and by reviving the fish by holding it horizontally in the water column with its mouth open while moving it forward.
Don’t tow a tarpon unless it is absolutely necessary to revive it. If you must tow, go as slow as possible while still moving water over the gills. And finally, do not fish for tarpon when large predatory sharks are in the area feeding. If sharks show up, move to another fishing location.
Learn more about these guidelines at MyFWC.com/Fishing by clicking on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Recreational Regulations” and “Fish Handling.”
Have a burning question about marine fisheries regulations? Want to know more about catch-and-release? We are here for you. Send your questions, photos and fishing tales to [email protected]. Make sure your photo meets our photo requirements by visiting MyFWC.com/Fishing and clicking on “Saltwater Fishing” and “Submit a photograph” under “Get Involved.” Don’t forget to record all of your catches on the iAngler phone app or at Snookfoundation.org. And learn how to submit your catches and get rewarded through our Saltwater Angler Recognition Programs at CatchaFloridaMemory.com.

FWC highlights Chipola River in new video

Posted on

“FLOW” celebrates the charm of the Chipola
and the partnerships forged to protect it.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announces the release of its new video, “FLOW: the Chipola River Story.” “FLOW” features International Game Fish Association’s Top Female Angler of 2015, Meredith McCord, and tells the conservation story of the Chipola River. This video recognizes the dedicated efforts of individuals and organizations such as the FWC, Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership (part of the National Fish Habitat Partnership), Trout Unlimited and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
The Chipola River is a spring-fed system in north Florida that features the only naturally reproducing population of shoal bass in the state. These bass are genetically unique and have a limited geographic range. Meredith McCord set world records for shoal bass and black crappie while filming “FLOW,” inspiring future conservation efforts.
View two trailers for the video and the full-length video at Youtube.com/TrophyCatchFlorida.
For more information about these videos, email Amber Nabors at [email protected]. For more information about the Chipola River, visit: MyFWC.com/Fishing, click on “Freshwater Fishing,” “Sites & Forecasts,” “Northwest Region” and “Chipola River.”
For more information about the National Fish Habitat Partnership, visit FishHabitat.org. For more information about the Southeast Aquatic Resources Partnership, visit SoutheastAquatics.net. For more information about Trout Unlimited, visit TU.org. For more information about the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, visit FWS.gov.

Stone crab season closes May 16

Posted on

The commercial and recreational harvest of stone crab claws in Florida closes on May 16, with the last day of harvest on May 15. Stone crab season will reopen on Oct. 15. This five-month closure occurs each year during the peak spawning season to help conserve and sustain Florida’s valuable stone crab resource.
Commercially harvested stone crab claws may be possessed and sold during the closed season, but only if they have been placed in inventory prior to May 16 by a licensed wholesale or retail dealer.
Stone crab traps must be removed from the water within five days after the close of the stone crab season unless a special extension is granted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Stone crab claws cannot be harvested from traps pulled after the season closes.
Learn more about the stone crab harvest season by visiting MyFWC.com/Fishing and clicking on “Saltwater Fishing,” and then either “Recreational Regulations” or “Commercial.”

Gulf cobia workshops scheduled: FWC seeking public input

Posted on

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is hosting five public workshops and an online webinar to gather public input on the Gulf cobia fishery.
Staff have heard concerns about cobia in recent years, especially in the panhandle area of the state. Cobia is currently open year-round and has a minimum size limit of 33 inches fork length and a daily bag limit of one fish per person from state waters with a maximum of six fish per vessel.
Meeting locations and dates are as follows (from 6-8 p.m. local time, except the webinar):

  • Tallahassee – May 16 – LeRoy Collins Leon County Public Library, 200 W. Park Ave.
  • Pensacola – May 18 – Sanders Beach-Corinne Jones Resource Center Parks & Recreation Department – 913 S. I St.
  • Destin – May 22 – Destin Community Center – 101 Stahlman Ave.
  • Panama City – May 23 – Gulf Coast State College, Enrollment Services Building, Room 124/The Gardner Room, 5230 W. U.S. Highway 98.
  • Statewide webinar – May 24 (6-8 p.m. EDT) – Learn more about how to participate at MyFWC.com/Fishing by clicking on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Rulemaking” and “Webinar Instructions.”
  • St. Petersburg – May 25 – FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Karen A. Steidinger Auditorium – 100 Eighth Ave. SE.

Provide input on this important Gulf coast fishery by attending a public workshop.
The FWC is also accepting public input on the status of the Atlantic coast cobia fishery and additional feedback opportunities may follow.
Written comments on cobia and other topics can also be submitted at MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments. For your online comments on cobia to be considered at the July 10-11 Commission meeting, submit them no later than June 15.
Learn more about these workshops at MyFWC.com/Fishing by clicking on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Rulemaking” and “Public Workshops.”

King mackerel management changes effective May 11

Posted on

Several commercial and recreational changes to king mackerel management in Florida state and federal waters will take effect May 11. These changes are consistent with federal regulation changes that are effective the same day.
Approved changes include:

  • Setting the Gulf/Atlantic state waters management boundary line, which used to shift from the west coast during the summer season to the east coast during the winter season, to be at the Monroe/Miami-Dade county line year-round.
  • Increasing the recreational bag limit in Gulf state waters and Monroe County from two to three fish per person.
  • Clarifying that commercial harvesters taking king mackerel must adhere to federal commercial vessel limits when fishing in state waters.

For more on these changes, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater Fishing” and either “Recreational Regulations” or “Commercial Regulations,” and then “Mackerel, King.”