News Releases

FWC sets Sept. 1-3 meeting in Pensacola Beach

News Release

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Media contact: (inland issues) Patricia Behnke, 850-251-2130 (marine issues) Lee Schlesinger, 850-487-0554

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will meet Sept. 1-3 in Pensacola Beach. The sessions will begin at 8:30 a.m. Central Daylight Time all three days and are open to the public.

On Wednesday, Sept. 1, the Commission will consider several final rules, starting with fox and coyote enclosures and their operation in Florida. The new rule, if approved, will prohibit the taking of fox or coyote by a dog or dogs within an enclosure. Another final rule addresses how the FWC will notify the county or a municipality of a pending application for the possession of Class I or II wildlife. Other final rules to be considered include restricting the method of take during the spring turkey season on wildlife management areas and adding a month of crossbow hunting opportunity on private lands.

Final rule changes to Florida's imperiled species listing process will be considered. If approved, the process of listing species in Florida will be streamlined, while continuing to protect these species in Florida. It also will change the classification of all Florida-listed species to "threatened" species.

The meeting Wednesday will conclude with a presentation of a report on adjusting hunting season dates on management areas and an anchoring and mooring update from staff.

On Thursday, Sept. 2, the Commission will receive a report on the 2010 cold weather impacts to Florida snook populations and consider whether to open snook season or maintain the current closure in response to the cold kill. Commissioners also will consider a proposed draft rule that would raise the daily recreational bag limit for red drum from one fish to two in Escambia through Pasco counties in Northwest Florida and in Flagler through Nassau counties in Northeast Florida.

In addition, Commissioners will consider numerous proposed draft rule amendments that would regulate Florida pompano, permit and African pompano in both state and federal waters off Florida and establish several other new management measures for these fish.

They also will consider several proposed blue crab draft rule amendments, including staggering the annual regional 10-day trap harvest closures so they occur every other year, and the possible creation of a recreational reef fish tag or endorsement. The Commission also will review and discuss various federal fisheries management issues, including Gulf of Mexico gag grouper proposals.

Thursday's meeting will wrap up with a report on FWC's response to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

On Friday, Sept. 3, the Commission will hear reports on the budget and legislative issues for the 2011 session of the Florida Legislature.

The meeting will be at the Hilton Pensacola Beach Gulf Front, 12 Via de Luna Drive, Pensacola Beach.

 Anyone requiring special accommodations to participate in the meeting should advise the FWC at least five days prior to the Sept. 1 meeting by contacting the FWC's Office of Human Resources at 850-488-6411. If you are hearing- or speech-impaired, contact the FWC using the Florida Relay Service at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or 800-955-8770 (voice).