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FWC set to meet in Tallahassee April
11-12
March 26, 2007
Contacts: Inland issues – Henry Cabbage (850) 488-8843
Marine issues – Lee Schlesinger (850) 487-0554
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC) will meet at Tallahassee’s Ramada Conference
Center April 11-12. The center is at 2900 N. Monroe St.
The April 11 (Wednesday) agenda includes final
action on proposed rules to clarify and firm up permit
regulations for activities involving sea turtles. Such
activities include nesting surveys, nest relocation, educational
turtle walks, captive facilities, research and rehabilitation.
Also during Wednesday’s session, commissioners
will consider final action on proposed rules concerning
importation, possession and sale of nonnative fish, wildlife and
plants. Proposals also address possession, exhibition and caging
for venomous reptiles.
The agenda also includes consideration of a
resolution to endorse a voluntary set of standards for caging
and husbandry of captive reptiles.
In addition, commissioners will consider staff
recommendations regarding proposals to change the imperiled
species classifications for the peregrine falcon and another
bird called the smooth-billed ani.
On Thursday, the FWC will take final action on a
series of proposed rule changes for various marine reef fish
species intended to make regulations in state waters consistent
with those recently approved for federal waters.
One proposed rule would designate golden
tilefish as a "restricted species,” and another would increase
the recreational minimum size limit for black sea bass in the
Atlantic Ocean from 11 inches total length in 2007 to 12 inches
total length in 2008.
Concerning vermilion snapper, Commissioners will
consider a proposed rule to increase the recreational minimum
size limit in the Atlantic Ocean from 11 to 12 inches total
length. The proposal also would decrease the commercial and
recreational minimum size limit for vermilion snapper harvested
in Gulf of Mexico state waters from 11 to 10 inches total
length. In addition, it would change the minimum size limit of
vermillion snapper imported into Florida from 11 to 10 inches
total length.
Another proposal would eliminate the April 22
through May 31 closed season for commercial harvest of vermilion
snapper in the Gulf.
Other proposals would establish a zero bag limit
for gag, red and black grouper for captains and crew on for-hire
vessels in the Gulf and establish a one-fish daily recreational
bag limit for snowy grouper within the five-fish aggregate
grouper bag limit in the Atlantic. Under the proposed rule, a
one-fish daily recreational bag limit will apply for golden
tilefish within the five-fish aggregate grouper bag limit in the
Atlantic, and the daily recreational bag limit for red porgy in
the Atlantic will jump from one fish to three fish per person.
Other proposed reef fish rule changes would
remove the requirement for Class I and Class II red snapper
licenses for commercial fishermen in the Gulf, establish
commercial trip limits in the Atlantic that are the same as trip
limits in federal waters and establish a June 1 - May 31 black
sea bass harvesting season in the Atlantic.
Proposed rules also would prohibit commercial
fishermen from harvesting or possessing the recreational bag
limit of reef fish species on commercial trips, would require a
minimum 2-inch mesh for the back panel of black sea bass traps
in the Atlantic, and require removal of black sea bass traps in
the Atlantic when the commercial quota is reached.
The FWC will also take final action on a
proposed rule to extend the area where the harvest of commercial
sponges by diving in Gulf waters is legal westward to Cape San
Blas and require that all sponges harvested by diving must be
cut rather than removed with a hook.
In other marine fisheries action, commissioners
will review and discuss draft rule amendments to possibly change
the size limit, bag limit and fishing season for snook. They
also will hear a report on the reauthorization of the
Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act, and
review proposed federal Gulf red snapper management options and
other federal marine fisheries management issues.
The agenda also includes consideration of a
final draft version of a vision document for the future of
saltwater fishing in Florida.
The meeting will convene at 8:30 a.m. both days.
Anyone requiring special accommodations to
participate in the meeting can make arrangements five days in
advance by contacting the FWC’s Americans with Disabilities Act
coordinator at (850) 488-6411. Hearing- or speech-impaired
persons can arrange assistance by calling (850) 488-9542. |
