FWC Hot Issues Openings and Closures passed and in effect
Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 4:22 pm
Just some things going on: http://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/hot-topics/
Snook season will open Sept. 1, 2011 in Atlantic state waters north of the Miami-Dade County – Monroe County line. Monroe and the Gulf side is to remain closed through Aug. 31, 2012.
Harvest and retention of snowy grouper, blueline tilefish, yellowedge grouper, misty grouper, queen snapper, and silk snapper beyond 240 feet depth in federal waters of the South Atlantic are prohibited. This area closure is applicable only in federal waters that are greater than 240 feet in depth. This area closure does not extend into state waters. Charter and headboats that hold federal snapper-grouper permits may fish for these species in state waters regardless of depth.
The permit and pompano fisheries received additional protection by extending state regulations into federal waters, creating a closed harvest season for permit in the Special Permit Zone and adjusting size and bag limits. Additionally, the new rules separate the management strategies for the three species. These new rules will become effective Aug. 31, 2011.
Issue: SEASON UPDATES
Action: Upcoming and continuing season openings and closures
Information: The following species have season openings/closures:
• Greater Amberjack: The recreational harvest of greater amberjack closes June 1 through July 31 in state and federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
• Red Snapper: The 2011 recreational harvest season for red snapper in state and federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico is June 1 through July 18.
• Black Sea Bass: The recreational harvest of black sea bass opens June 1 in federal waters of the south Atlantic. State waters remain open as well.
• Bay Scallop: The 2011 recreational harvest season for bay scallops opens June 25 through Sept. 25. Bay scallop harvest is only permitted from the Pasco-Hernando County line to the west bank of the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County.
• Gag Grouper: The recreational harvest of gag grouper from the Gulf of Mexico will close June 1 through Dec. 31, 2011, with an open harvest season Sept. 16 through Nov. 15, 2011. (see above)
• Snook: The recreational harvest of snook is closed through August 31, 2011 in all Atlantic waters, including Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River. Gulf of Mexico waters, including Everglades National Park and Monroe County, remain closed to the recreational harvest of snook through Aug. 31, 2012. Catch and release is still permitted.
Action: Upcoming public workshops on sharks
Information: FWC is holding public workshops to solicit public comment on possible changes to the Commission's shark rule (Chapter 68B-44, F.A.C.). Specifically, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will be gathering public comments on the possible addition of various species of sharks to the list of species which are prohibited from harvest. The Commission will also be gathering comments on possible gear requirement changes and regulatory changes that could affect the practice of chumming when fishing for sharks from shore.
Date Time Location
June 20, 2011 6:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. EDT Brevard Agricultural Center 3695 Lake Drive Cocoa, FL 32926
June 21, 2011 6:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. EDT IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum 300 Gulf Stream Way Dania Beach, FL 33004
June 23, 2011 6:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. EDT Terrace Building Room 1001 10th Floor 101 S. Washington Blvd. Sarasota, FL 34236
June 28, 2011 6:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. CDT Destin Community Center 101 Stahlman Avenue Destin, FL 32541
June 30, 2011 6:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. EDT St. Johns County Auditorium 4020 Lewis Speedway St. Augustine, FL 32095
July 7, 2011 6:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. EDT Voice-only line. Please RSVP to the Division of Marine Fisheries Management at 850-487-0554 to obtain instructions to join the meeting via the voice-only line.
Snook season will open Sept. 1, 2011 in Atlantic state waters north of the Miami-Dade County – Monroe County line. Monroe and the Gulf side is to remain closed through Aug. 31, 2012.
Harvest and retention of snowy grouper, blueline tilefish, yellowedge grouper, misty grouper, queen snapper, and silk snapper beyond 240 feet depth in federal waters of the South Atlantic are prohibited. This area closure is applicable only in federal waters that are greater than 240 feet in depth. This area closure does not extend into state waters. Charter and headboats that hold federal snapper-grouper permits may fish for these species in state waters regardless of depth.
The permit and pompano fisheries received additional protection by extending state regulations into federal waters, creating a closed harvest season for permit in the Special Permit Zone and adjusting size and bag limits. Additionally, the new rules separate the management strategies for the three species. These new rules will become effective Aug. 31, 2011.
Issue: SEASON UPDATES
Action: Upcoming and continuing season openings and closures
Information: The following species have season openings/closures:
• Greater Amberjack: The recreational harvest of greater amberjack closes June 1 through July 31 in state and federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico.
• Red Snapper: The 2011 recreational harvest season for red snapper in state and federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico is June 1 through July 18.
• Black Sea Bass: The recreational harvest of black sea bass opens June 1 in federal waters of the south Atlantic. State waters remain open as well.
• Bay Scallop: The 2011 recreational harvest season for bay scallops opens June 25 through Sept. 25. Bay scallop harvest is only permitted from the Pasco-Hernando County line to the west bank of the Mexico Beach Canal in Bay County.
• Gag Grouper: The recreational harvest of gag grouper from the Gulf of Mexico will close June 1 through Dec. 31, 2011, with an open harvest season Sept. 16 through Nov. 15, 2011. (see above)
• Snook: The recreational harvest of snook is closed through August 31, 2011 in all Atlantic waters, including Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River. Gulf of Mexico waters, including Everglades National Park and Monroe County, remain closed to the recreational harvest of snook through Aug. 31, 2012. Catch and release is still permitted.
Action: Upcoming public workshops on sharks
Information: FWC is holding public workshops to solicit public comment on possible changes to the Commission's shark rule (Chapter 68B-44, F.A.C.). Specifically, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will be gathering public comments on the possible addition of various species of sharks to the list of species which are prohibited from harvest. The Commission will also be gathering comments on possible gear requirement changes and regulatory changes that could affect the practice of chumming when fishing for sharks from shore.
Date Time Location
June 20, 2011 6:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. EDT Brevard Agricultural Center 3695 Lake Drive Cocoa, FL 32926
June 21, 2011 6:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. EDT IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum 300 Gulf Stream Way Dania Beach, FL 33004
June 23, 2011 6:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. EDT Terrace Building Room 1001 10th Floor 101 S. Washington Blvd. Sarasota, FL 34236
June 28, 2011 6:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. CDT Destin Community Center 101 Stahlman Avenue Destin, FL 32541
June 30, 2011 6:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. EDT St. Johns County Auditorium 4020 Lewis Speedway St. Augustine, FL 32095
July 7, 2011 6:00 p.m. -8:00 p.m. EDT Voice-only line. Please RSVP to the Division of Marine Fisheries Management at 850-487-0554 to obtain instructions to join the meeting via the voice-only line.
