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FWC proposes allowing sponge diving in
Panhandle
February 8, 2007
CONTACT: Lee Schlesinger (850) 487-0554
Commercial sponge harvest may be legal soon in
Northwest Florida marine waters. The Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission (FWC) proposed a draft rule Thursday to
allow commercial sponge harvest west of 84 degrees west
longitude, near Cabell Point on the eastern border of Jefferson
County.
Commercial harvest of sponges in Florida is a
historical fishery, principally concentrated along the central
Gulf of Mexico near the traditional sponge docks in Tarpon
Springs and in the Florida Keys. This fishery is the source of
natural sponges for a variety of household cleaning purposes and
also supports a curio trade.
Of the many species of sponges that occur in
Florida, only a few are sought-after by the fishery and
regulated. These species – commercial sponges – include
sheepswool, grass, yellow, glove, finger, wire, reef and velvet
sponges.
Commercial sponges may be harvested legally now,
by diving, in all state waters north of the southernmost point
of Egmont Key, northward and westward to the 84 degrees west
longitude line. They also may be harvested, by diving, in all
state waters beyond 3 nautical miles from the shoreline south of
Egmont Key to the Monroe and Collier county line. Commercial
sponges also are legally harvested in the Keys by hooking.
Commercial fishers have requested the Florida
Panhandle area also be open to sponge harvest by diving, and the
FWC believes this fishery will be limited and have negligible
impacts to sponge abundance. The FWC also proposes that all
sponges harvested by diving must be cut rather than pulled from
their base.
Current regulations specify that persons wishing
to land sponges in commercial quantities must possess a valid
saltwater products license and a valid sponge endorsement.
Legally harvestable commercial sponges also must
be at least 5 inches in diameter, and there are specific areas
where sponges may be taken by diving. A daily recreational bag
limit of 10 commercial sponges also applies, and sponging in
Biscayne National Park is prohibited.
A final public hearing on the proposed sponge
rule will take place during the FWC’s April 11-12 meeting in
Tallahassee. |
