News Release

FWC seeks public input on snook management

January 4, 2007
CONTACT: Lee Schlesinger (850) 487-0554

Floridians have a chance to comment on snook fishery management during one of five public workshops scheduled throughout the state this month.

A recent Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) stock assessment for snook concluded the management goal of a 40 percent spawning potential ratio established for this fishery is not being met, and increasing fishing effort is contributing to the declining rate. Spawning potential ratio is the ratio of the egg production of mature fish in a fished population to the egg production that would exist if the population was not fished.

The purpose of the workshops is to review the Commission’s recent snook stock assessment and consider recommendations made by a workgroup formed by the FWC to help evaluate the management of the snook fishery. The workgroup recommendations for snook include narrowing the current 27-34 inches total length slot limit, changing the closed seasons and reducing the Atlantic coast daily bag limit from two fish per day to one fish.

The public is encouraged to participate at the workshops, which will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. as follows:

Information regarding the snook workgroup and other material concerning snook management in Florida are available online at MyFWC.com/marine/workgroups/index.html#Snook. Contact Lee Schlesinger at (850) 487-0554 for information regarding the upcoming workshops.

Anyone requiring special accommodations to participate in the workshops should advise the agency at least five calendar days before the workshop by contacting Cindy Hoffman at (850) 488-6411. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service at (800) 955-8771 (TTY) or (800) 955-8770 (voice).