“Florida is a great place to enjoy boating year-round,” said Col. Calvin Adams, director of the FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement. “And even more people will be out on the water for the holiday weekend. Both the holiday and National Safe Boating Week (May 18-24) present an opportunity to emphasize the importance of remaining safe while boating,” Adams noted.

Each year, FWC officers rescue around 1,000 people, many of them on the water. However, not everyone is so lucky. Ten people have already lost their lives this year due to boating accidents in Florida.

“FWC officers are committed to keeping people as safe as possible, but we need your help,” Adams said. “We want to reach out to as many boaters as we can to help them understand that most boating accidents are preventable.”

The FWC reminds boaters to enjoy their time on the water by taking a few safety precautions, such as remaining alert while operating a boat, wearing both a life jacket and engine shut-off switch at all times and designating a sober boat operator.

According to the FWC, inattentiveness of the operator often contributes to boating accidents.

Statistics also show that more than 67 percent of the 55 boating-related deaths confirmed last year were attributed to drowning, which life jackets are designed to prevent.

There is a wide variety of comfortable, affordable and stylish life jackets on the market today. The many options make it easy to be protected. Some compact designs even inflate upon hitting the water.

An engine shut-off switch is a safety lanyard that attaches from the boat operator to the ignition. If it is disconnected, the engine will shut down, potentially preventing a boater who has fallen overboard from being injured by the moving propeller of a runaway boat.

“Boating smart and safely could result in fewer injuries and deaths each year,” Adams said.

To report people who are operating boats dangerously, call 888-404-FWCC or text Tip@MyFWC.com.

More information can be found by visiting MyFWC.com/Boating.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and partners rescued an approximately 9-month-old female Florida panther in the Golden Gate Estates area of Collier County on Monday.

The FWC received a call about a panther kitten dragging its rear leg. A homeowner noticed the injured panther earlier that morning as he was leaving for work. When he returned home and saw the panther a second time, he notified law enforcement.

FWC panther biologists and law-enforcement officers, deputies with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office and staff from the Golden Gate Animal Clinic responded to the area where the panther was last seen. They located the panther in thick brush and sedated it.

After an on-scene assessment of the panther’s condition, FWC biologists transported the panther to the Animal Specialty Hospital of Florida. Veterinarians at the hospital determined that the panther had a compound fracture in her rear right leg, rib fractures and bruising around the lung, all of which were likely caused by a vehicle collision. That evening they performed surgery, using a steel plate to mend the bone together.

With the help of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the panther was taken to the White Oak Conservation Center in Yulee, where she will receive care until she has fully healed from her injuries and is ready for release.

“We are pleased with what appears to be a successful surgery with no complications,” said Darrell Land, FWC panther team leader. “Thanks to the help of our partners, this panther has a very good chance of returning to the wild. With only 100 to 160 adults and subadults remaining in south Florida, every panther plays an important role in the population.”

Florida residents can support conservation efforts like the rescue and rehabilitation of injured or orphaned panthers by purchasing a panther license plate. Fees from license plate sales are the primary funding source for the FWC’s research and management of Florida panthers.

To report dead or injured panthers, call the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or #FWC or *FWC on a cell phone.

For more information on Florida panthers go to FloridaPantherNet.org.

You can download the Fish Orlando! app at bit.ly/FishOrlando, thanks to a British businessman who loves to vacation in Florida and fish in urban Orlando.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), in cooperation with local governments, manages urban lakes to enhance fishing opportunities. The FWC developed the Fish Orlando! program in 1998 to expand Orlando’s urban fisheries program by providing quality-size fish, unique fishing experiences at various lakes and ponds and habitat enhancement – all of which can bring tourists.

Enter Tony Bickley, CEO of Team Dart and an avid angler who travels from Great Britain annually to fish in Florida. He especially likes to visit lakes in Orlando. Some of those lakes are known as the “FAB FIVE” because they were developed to produce quality-sized sport fish. Bickley was visiting one of those –Turkey Lake – one day when he also had the opportunity to meet Gov. Rick Scott, who was there helping FWC staff stock fish and show youths how to fish. Bickley was so impressed with the lake and the program that he offered his company’s Web-application development services free of charge, “as a way of saying thank you from a very contented FAB FIVE customer.”

“I have been fishing in Florida, on virtually every holiday since I discovered how good it is, over the past 14 years,” Bickley said.

Besides the FAB FIVE, Fish Orlando! includes four urban ponds suitable for beginning anglers and those who prefer to harvest their catch. Fifteen years later, the program has exceeded expectations.

“Results have not gone unnoticed by the media,” said the FWC’s Jim Sweatman, a biologist and Fish Orlando project manager. “Various program accomplishments have been covered in Bassmaster Magazine, Florida Sportsman, Florida Game & Fish Magazine, ESPN, TNN and local radio and TV.”

The FWC has distributed almost a quarter-million maps requested by anglers from 30 states and four foreign countries. Bass Pro Shops has a Fish Orlando! kiosk in its Orlando store that plays a video summarizing the program.

Now there’s an app to spread the word too. For more information on the app recently made available by Team Dart, visit the iTunes store or search for “Fish Orlando” in the App Store.

As an example of unique experiences at each fishing hole, at Turkey Lake, Grizzly Tracker Boats equipped with trolling motors and depth finders are available for $32 a day from Thursday – Sunday (7-11 a.m.) at Bill Frederick Park. By limiting fishing pressure, primarily with special rules, and working to create good habitat, the lake produces bass fishing catch rates that are two to three times higher than the state average. The boats were provided by Bass Pro Shops and may be reserved by calling the city of Orlando at 407-246-4486.

To find out more information on the boat-loaner program and other Fish Orlando waters, go to MyFWC.com/Fishing and select “Fishing Sites/Forecasts,” then “Fish Orlando!” You can also link to the Fish Orlando app there.

The fourth and final group of draft action plans to conserve dozens of Florida fish and wildlife species is ready for public inspection and input, including plans to protect pillar coral and the Southeastern American kestrel.

Since February, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has shared plans to conserve 60 species listed now as state-threatened or species of special concern. While listing status may change for some species once a final Imperiled Species Management Plan is approved by the Commission, all 60 species will be managed by the FWC to maintain or grow their populations to preserve Florida’s wildlife legacy for future generations.

The FWC, in this final group, is releasing draft action plans for 13 species. In addition to pillar coral and kestrel, there are plans for the limpkin, crystal darter, Black Creek crayfish, Santa Fe cave crayfish and seven reptiles that reside in the Florida Keys. The reptiles are the Key ringneck snake, rim rock crowned snake, Florida Keys mole skink, as well as lower Keys populations of Florida brownsnake, Peninsula ribbon snake, red rat snake and striped mud turtle.

The public is invited to go to MyFWC.com/Imperiled to read and comment on the plans for these 13 species, with the last day for public comment being June 21.

The FWC will incorporate public feedback as it revises the 49 action plans covering the 60 species. Plans will identify specific threats, challenges and actions. The next step will be identifying Integrated Conservation Strategies that address common actions benefiting multiple species in areas such as:

• Habitat conservation and management;
• Research and monitoring;
• Incentives and influencing;
• Education and outreach;
• Law and policy;
• Climate change.

“The FWC is conserving species such as the Florida black bear, bald eagle and gopher tortoise by using management plans that address a single species. With the challenge of conserving 60 additional species, the FWC is strategically marshaling its resources in ways that address the species’ common threats and needs,” said Claire Sunquist Blunden, the FWC’s stakeholder coordinator for the Imperiled Species Management Plan. “Once draft species action plans are revised to incorporate public input, the FWC’s work in the coming year will focus on developing conservation strategies that will benefit multiple species.”

Ultimately, the outcome will be an Imperiled Species Management Plan that the FWC will use as a roadmap to work with the public and partners to ensure all 60 species are conserved. The final Imperiled Species Management Plan is scheduled for approval by the Commission in 2015.

Pillar coral is rare in Florida waters, where it ranges from Palm Beach County to the Dry Tortugas. Threats to pillar coral described in the draft action plan include changes in acidity and temperature of ocean water, damage from human activity such as boats and anchoring, and a continuing decline of mature individuals of the species. Pillar coral is being recommended for listing as a threatened species.

Installing additional mooring buoys, so boats do not need to drop anchor near reefs, is one of the suggested conservation actions to protect pillar coral, along with additional research to assess pillar coral population, genetic diversity and reproductive potential. Restoration efforts may include rearing of juvenile pillar coral in nurseries and enhancing reefs with species such as long-spined urchins that benefit overall reef habitat.

The Southeastern American kestrel, the smallest falcon in North America, is also being recommended for listing as a threatened species. Once found commonly through seven southeastern states, this subspecies now lives primarily in Florida. The kestrel is dependent on using the nesting cavities of other birds such as woodpeckers, but in the absence of naturally created cavities, manmade nesting boxes are acceptable to this bird of prey.

More than 160 nesting boxes for kestrels in Levy and Marion counties have been maintained during the past two decades by biologists from the FWC, University of Florida and University of Nevada-Reno. In 2009, the FWC initiated the Southeastern American Kestrel Partnership, which promotes nest box monitoring programs throughout peninsular Florida.

Future conservation of kestrels will depend on the cooperation of many partners beyond the FWC, including private landowners willing to manage their lands to provide wildlife habitat. Almost any landowner can help by building and putting up nest boxes for Southeastern American kestrels. The most important feature of the nest box is a 3-inch-diameter entrance hole. Go to MyFWC.com/Research, click on “Wildlife” and then on “Southeastern American Kestrel” for information on building a kestrel nest box.

That’s where the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) comes in. In addition to patrolling all of Florida’s waterways, FWC staff promotes access to them by developing and maintaining boat ramps. The goal is for everyone to be able to enjoy the water safely.

Each year, FWC officers rescue around 1,000 people, many of them on the water.

Earlier this year, in Escambia County, two people were left hanging onto the Bob Sikes Bridge after their boat began to take on water and sink. Fortunately, two FWC officers responded and brought them safely to shore.

However, not everyone is so lucky.

In 2012 there were over 700 boating accidents, and 55 people tragically lost their lives as a result. FWC officers do everything they can to keep people safe, but there are also measures that boaters should take to protect themselves.

Remain alert, wear a life jacket at all times and designate a sober boat operator. These three simple actions can mean the difference between a fun day on the water and a tragic one.

There are many comfortable life jackets on the market today, including compact styles that automatically inflate if you hit the water. Having it stored in a bin is legal for adults, but you will be much more likely to stay afloat if you’re always wearing it.

Some popular waterways can get crowded at times. Ensuring that your boat operator pays close attention to the surroundings, including signage, other boats and animals, and hasn’t had any alcohol are absolutely necessary to be safe.

Recently, FWC officers in Duval County received a complaint of an impaired boater. When they located him, he had three children onboard and was unable to dock his boat. The officers used a rope and pulled his boat to the dock. After sobriety tests and a check of his blood-alcohol level, he was arrested for BUI and taken off the water before he could injure himself or others.

If you see someone operating dangerously, putting himself or others in harm’s way – say something! The FWC’s Wildlife Alert hotline is staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can report fish and wildlife law violations as well as dangerous boaters. Helping the FWC is another way to stay safe and enjoy your day on the water.

Also, if you encounter any FWC officers, remember it is their job to keep people safe, and they have many ways to do that. They may put on a boating safety course for students, be called to rescue someone or in some instances, have to issue a citation.

If you are out on the water, you may be stopped briefly so they can check your vessel registration and safety equipment or inspect your fishing licenses and catch. FWC officers are trained to handle public interactions with respect and humility. But you can help ensure a positive experience and even reduce the number of times you are stopped.

If an FWC officer spots a boat without the proper registration, it is likely that the officer will stop it. Operating recklessly is another sure way to be stopped. Also, having all of your safety gear onboard and easily accessible not only helps in case of emergency, but it makes checks go more quickly as well.

Let’s work together to protect this paradise and enjoy it safely!

For more information on boating access or boating safety, visit MyFWC.com/Boating.

This year is also the 40^th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act, which was approved by Congress and signed by President Richard Nixon in 1973.

The Florida panther is featured Monday, May 13 on MyFWC Facebook. It is the first of a series of wildlife spotlights this week focusing on the successes and challenges of conserving Florida’s imperiled species.

Visit Facebook.com/MyFWC through Friday to find out more about what it takes to conserve endangered or threatened species in Florida and how you can help.

More on Florida’s endangered and threatened species is available at MyFWC.com/ImperiledSpecies.

The change is being proposed in an effort to reduce the chances of chronic wasting disease (CWD) being introduced into the state. CWD is not known to affect people.

The disease, which has been discovered in 22 states, two Canadian provinces and in South Korea, is a contagious neurological disease affecting deer, elk and moose. It is similar to mad cow disease, always fatal, and there is no known cure or vaccine for the animals.

The rule-change proposal will go before the Commission at its June 13 meeting in Lakeland, and the FWC encourages all those who have an interest to go to MyFWC.com/Deer and select “Captive Cervids” to read about what is being proposed and offer any comments, questions or concerns they may have.

If the proposal is passed at the June meeting, it would go into effect soon after.

For more information on CWD, go to www.CWD-info.org.

Scientists with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) have uncovered a new species of black bass in the southeastern United States. Scientists have proposed naming the new species the Choctaw bass and recommended the scientific name ofMicropterus haiaka. They revealed their discovery at a meeting of the Southern Division of the American Fisheries Society earlier this year.

FWC scientists first noted a DNA profile that did not belong to any recognized species while testing a bass specimen from the Chipola River in 2007, as part of a broader genetic study of bass.

“We didn’t set out to find a new species,” said Mike Tringali, who heads the genetics laboratory at the FWC’s Fish and Wildlife Research Institute. “It found us.”

After confirming the initial discovery, scientists searched for the DNA profile in bass caught in nearby rivers to determine the species’ range. They found that the Choctaw bass inhabits coastal river systems in Alabama and along the western Florida panhandle, including the Choctawhatchee River.

“We chose the name ‘Choctaw bass’ because the species’ range overlaps the historic range of the Choctaw Indians,” said Tringali. “As for our recommended scientific name,Micropterus haiaka,‘haiaka’ is a Choctaw word that means ‘revealed.’”

The American Fisheries Society must approve the suggested scientific name for it to take effect.

The Choctaw bass is very similar in appearance to its relative, the spotted bass. The physical differences between the two species are not easily seen with the naked eye, one reason they had never before been distinguished despite decades of bass studies in the region.

For more information about how FWC scientists discovered the new bass species, visit MyFWC.com/Research, click on “Freshwater,” and select “Black basses” under “Freshwater Sport Fishes.”

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).

Learn more about the stone crab harvest season by visiting MyFWC.com/Fishing and clicking on “Saltwater” and then either “Recreational Regulations” or “Commercial.”

As leader of the largest conservation law enforcement agency in the country, he will oversee more than 1,000 employees, direct their enforcement efforts in Florida and manage the budget for the FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement.

Also, because the FWC works closely with many conservation and public-safety partners, Adams will be looked up to as a leader throughout the state and country.

“The FWC has an excellent team,” Adams said. “From our command staff and administrative support in Tallahassee to our officers in the field, we work together every day to protect people and natural resources. I’m honored to be named as the leader of this dedicated group.”

Adams will succeed Jim Brown, who has served as director of law enforcement since 2009 and is retiring. Although Brown has an impressive reputation that might be hard for others to live up to, Adams is considered ready for the task.

“Col. Brown has been an exceptional leader with a true passion for ensuring that people can safely enjoy Florida’s natural resources,” said FWC Executive Director Nick Wiley. “I see the same commitment in Col. Adams. I look forward to working with him as he brings the highest values of integrity and professional leadership to continue moving us in this positive direction.”

Adams is no stranger to law enforcement and conservationists. He grew up in a family of them and gained his own varied experience.

He began his career with the Florida Marine Patrol, one of the FWC’s predecessor agencies, in 1985 in Indian River County. He worked his way up as an investigator, lieutenant, captain and major, working across the state in Tampa, Lake City and Tallahassee. Since 2007, he has served as a deputy director in the FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement, directing statewide operations, including the aviation and K-9 programs, and providing guidance to staff regarding search-and-rescue activities, targeted resource protection efforts and other details.

Adams’ father retired from the Florida Marine Patrol in 1994 after a 30-year career. His uncle served in law enforcement with the Florida Game and Fresh Water Fish Commission (GFC), another FWC-predecessor agency, and was an elected sheriff before being appointed a GFC commissioner. Two of Adams’ cousins are also FWC officers.

Adams has an Associate in Arts degree from Hillsborough Community College and training certificates from the Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s Chief Executive Seminar and the FBI’s National Academy, Session 237. He lives in Tallahassee with his wife, Olga, and they have two adult children.