|
FWC SETS DEC. 6-7 MEETING AT KEY LARGO
November 17, 2006
Contacts: (marine issues) Lee Schlesinger (850) 487-0554
(inland issues) Henry Cabbage (850) 488-8843
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC) will convene for a two-day meeting Dec. 6 at
the Marriott Key Largo. That’s at mile marker 103.8. The meeting
will convene at 8:30 a.m. both days.
Wednesday’s (Dec. 6) agenda includes review and
discussion of the recent evaluation of FWC’s Alligator
Management Program. It concerns comments from the public during
an online survey, during which some respondents suggested
broader alligator hunting and more flexibility in dealing with
nuisance gators. FWC Commissioners are not considering rule
changes on this issue at the moment.
The FWC will consider final action on a proposed
rule to change state manatee protection zones in the St. Johns
River between the Fuller Warren Bridge and Reddie Point. The
proposal is to conform FWC rules to federal rules in the area.
Also on Wednesday, Commissioners will consider
final action on establishing a no-anchor zone for sailboats and
other vessels with masts in an area between Big Pine Key and
Little Torch Key, south of U.S. 1.
Commissioners will discuss proposed rules for
wildlife management areas for 2007-08 and draft rule changes
concerning permits for Marine Turtle Program activities. In
addition, they will hear updates on issues associated with
vessel anchoring and on a general management plan for the
Addition Lands in Big Cypress National Preserve. Also,
Commissioners will discuss the strategic focus of the FWC’s
Division of Law Enforcement.
Wednesday’s agenda also includes review and
discussion of work plans for the FWC’s divisions of Freshwater
Fisheries Management, Hunting and Game Management and Law
Enforcement.
The first item on Thursday’s agenda is election
of the new chairman and vice chairman.
In other business Thursday, Commissioners will
take final action on a proposed rule to extend the current
moratorium on reducing traps in the spiny lobster fishery
through the 2007-08 license year and receive an update on
activities of the Spiny Lobster Advisory Board.
In other marine fisheries action, the FWC will
receive a stock assessment of Florida’s spotted seatrout
fishery, review and discuss a proposed marine fisheries work
plan for 2007-08, consider approval of a memorandum of
understanding with the National Park Service regarding a
monitoring plan for the Research Natural Area in Dry Tortugas
National Park, receive an update on the future of saltwater
fishing in Florida and consider federal marine fisheries
management issues.
The Commission also will review and discuss the
impact of 2005 red tide and a proposed rule to correct a
loophole in regulations pertaining to possession of monofilament
nets.
Commissioners will hear recommendations for the
FWC’s financial business plan and a legislative report in
addition to updates on Florida’s Wildlife Legacy Initiative and
the future of hunting and saltwater fishing in Florida.
Anyone requiring special accommodations to
participate in the meeting should contact Cindy Hoffman at (850)
488-6411 at least five days in advance. Hearing- or
speech-impaired persons can arrange assistance by calling (850)
488-9542.
FWC agenda items
Dec. 6-7, 2006 – Key Largo
Wednesday
-
Presentation of the Florida Wildlife
Foundation’s 2006 Louise Ireland Humphrey Achievement Award
(the highest internal honor for FWC employees) to FWC
Officer John Snow.
-
Presentation of the 2006 Shikar-Safari
International Officer of the Year Award to FWC Officer Rick
Francis.
-
Adoption of the consent agenda.
-
A proposed rule to conform state manatee
protection zones to existing federal zones in the St. Johns
River between the Fuller Warren Bridge and Reddie Point.
-
A proposed rule to prohibit sailboats and
other vessels with masts from anchoring in an area between
Big Pine and Little Torch keys, south of U.S. 1.
-
Review and discussion of 2007-08 proposed
rules for wildlife management areas.
-
Review and discussion of draft rule changes
concerning permits to conduct Marine Turtle Program
activities.
-
Update on issues associated with vessel
anchoring.
-
Review and discussion of the Alligator
Management Program evaluation.
-
Review and discussion of strategic focus for
the Division of Law Enforcement.
-
Update on the general management plan for
the Addition Lands in Big Cypress National Preserve.
-
Review and discussion of the proposed
2007-08 work plan for the Division of Freshwater Fisheries
Management.
-
Review and discussion of the proposed
2007-08 work plan for the Division of Hunting and Game
Management.
-
Review and discussion of the proposed
2007-08 work plan for the Division of Law Enforcement.
-
Acquisition of a 1,306-acre Barry’s Ranch
property in Alachua County as a mitigation park.
Thursday
-
Election of chairman and vice chairman.
-
A proposed rule to extend the suspension on
spiny lobster trap reduction through the 2007-08 license
year.
-
Update on Spiny Lobster Advisory Board
issues and progress.
-
Review and discussion of the impact of the
2005 red tide.
-
Review and discussion of a draft rule to
correct a loophole in regulations pertaining to possession
of monofilament nets.
-
Review and discussion of stock assessment
for spotted seatrout.
-
Consideration of a memorandum of
understanding with the National Park Service regarding Dry
Tortugas National Park.
-
Review and discussion of proposed 2007-08
work plan for the Division of Marine Fisheries Management.
-
Final recommendations for the FWC financial
business plan.
-
Update on Florida’s Wildlife Legacy
Initiative.
-
Update on the future of hunting in Florida.
-
Update on the future of saltwater fishing in
Florida.
-
Legislative report.
-
Public comment on items not on the agenda.
|
