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February 2026

Date: Feb 4, 2026 Time: 8:30 am
Date: Feb 5, 2026 Time: 8:30 am
Location:

Florida State University
Donald L. Tucker Civic Center
505 W. Pensacola St, Tallahassee, FL 32301

Public comments will be accepted in person during the meeting.
This meeting is open to the public

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Commission) is committed to providing an opportunity for public input at each Commission meeting. The Commission is offering the opportunity for stakeholders to provide their comments in advance, as well as in person. For in-person comments, please review the speaker registration guidelines at www.myfwc.com/about/commission/. Advance comments were due no later than 5:00 p.m. on the Friday before the first day of the meeting. If you would like to provide comments via mail, please send them to the following address:

FWC Commissioners
620 South Meridian St.
Tallahassee, FL 32399

To accommodate public input at meetings, the Chairman reserves the right to determine the amount of time given to agenda items and public comments. If you do not wish or are unable to speak at the meeting but would like to provide comments, you may do so using the online comment form or by contacting the Commissioners directly via email at commissioners@myfwc.com.

At the meeting, the Commission may take action on any agenda item presented, including staff reports. Agenda items may be re-ordered, moved to a different day, or rescheduled to a different meeting as determined by the Chairman. The meeting may include fact-finding field trips to learn about research, management and enforcement activities.

If any person decides to challenge any decision with respect to any matter considered at the meeting, he or she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which includes testimony and evidence upon which the challenge is based.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this meeting should notify the agency at least 2 calendar days before the meeting by calling 850-488-6411 or contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or 800-955-8770 (Voice), if you are hearing or speech impaired. If you believe that you have been discriminated against in any program, activity or facility, or if you need more information, contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at: FWC, Office of Human Resources, 620 S Meridian Street, Tallahassee, FL 32399, 850-488-6411. Or write to: Office of Diversity, Inclusion & Civil Rights, Department of the Interior, 1849 C Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20240.

8:30 a.m., Wednesday, February 4

  1. Call to Order
    1. Call to Order
    2. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
  2. Administrative Matters
    1. Approve November 2025 Commission Meeting Minutes
    2. Approve Regular Meeting Agenda
    3. Approve Consent Agenda
      Details for all consent agenda items are listed at the end of this document. Any questions about a consent agenda item should be addressed to agency staff prior to the Commission meeting. Any item not approved as part of the consent agenda may be moved to the regular agenda or postponed at the discretion of the Chairman.
  3. Executive Director’s Report
  4. Awards and Recognition
    1. Fish & Wildlife Foundation of Florida Annual Awards
    2. Florida Land Steward 2026 Landowner of the Year Award

BREAK

  1. Items Requiring Action
    1. Final Rules – Regulated Trapping of Wildlife in Florida. Staff will present final rule amendments to Florida’s current wildlife trapping regulations and provide a summary of changes to the proposed rule package that was presented in November 2025. These changes will better align Florida’s trapping regulations with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ Best Management Practices in support of humane trapping.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than one hour. (This item may be moved to day two or postponed).
      5A Summary Memo | 5A Presentation PDF | 5A Presentation PowerPoint | 5A 68A-1.004 | 5A 68A-4.001 | 5A 68A-9 | 5A 68A-12.002 | 5A 68A-15.004 | 5A 68A-17.004 | 5A 68A-24 | 5A 68A-32
    2. Final Rules – Spotted Seatrout. Staff will present recommendations for final rules to update spotted seatrout management, including the establishment of new management regions and recreational and commercial harvest regulations for each region. The final rule recommendations for each region are based on an evaluation of the spotted seatrout fishery using a suite of management metrics and public feedback gathered through multiple engagement efforts, including the 2025 Seatrout Symposium and public workshops.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes. (This item may be moved to day two or postponed).
      5B Summary Memo | 5B Presentation PDF | 5B Presentation PowerPoint | 5B 68B-37.002 | 5B 68B-37.003 | 5B 68B-37.004 | 5B 68B-37.005 | 5B 68B-37.007 | 2025 Panhandle Seatrout Annual Review | 2025 Big Bend Seatrout Annual Review | 2025 Tampa Seatrout Annual Review | 2025 Sarasota Seatrout Annual Review | 2025 Charlotte Harbor Seatrout Annual Review | 2025 Southwest Seatrout Annual Review | 2025 Southeast Seatrout Annual Review | 2025 Indian River Lagoon Seatrout Annual Review | 2025 Northeast Seatrout Annual Review
    3. Proposed Rules – Marine Special Activity License (SAL) Program Phase III Updates. Staff will present recommendations for proposed changes to rules in chapters 68B-2 and 68B-8, F.A.C., as the third phase of improvements to the Marine SAL program. Topics the recommendations address include the collection of prohibited marine species for exhibition, the Florida Marine Science Educators Association Certification, tagging of marine organisms, and the Marine SALs for non-conforming gear.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes. (This item may be moved to day two or postponed).
      5C Summary Memo | 5C Presentation PDF | 5C Presentation PowerPoint | 5C 68B-2.012 | 5C 68B-8.002 | 5C 68B-8.003 | 5C 68B-8.006 | 5C 68B-8.007 | 5C 68B-8.008 | 5C 68B-8.009 | 5C 68B-8.010 | 5C 68B-8.011 | 5C 68B-8.012 | 5C 68B-8.013 | 5C 68B-8.0131 | 5C 68B-8.0132 | 5C 68B-8.0133 | 5C Nonprofit Corporation Application Form | 5C Gear Innovation Application Form | 5C Marine Prohibited Species Policy

ANTICIPATED LUNCH BREAK

  1. Staff Reports
    1. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (SAFMC) Report. Staff will report on actions and discussions from the SAFMC’s December 8-12, 2025, meeting and the upcoming January 23, 2026, webinar meeting. Expected topics will include black sea bass, blueline tilefish, and the potential reopening of a historical commercial rock shrimp fishing area off Florida, as well as updates on the Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) proposals to test state management of the recreational Atlantic red snapper fishery.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes. (This item may be moved to day two or postponed).
      6A Summary Memo | 6A Presentation PDF | 6A Presentation PowerPoint
    2. Gulf Council Report. Staff will report on actions and discussions from the Gulf Council’s November 2025 and January 2026 meetings. Expected topics will include continuing a requirement for venting tools and descending devices, red grouper, red snapper, and other topics relevant to Florida.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes. (This item may be moved to day two or postponed).
      6B Summary Memo | 6B Presentation PDF | 6B Presentation PowerPoint
    3. Federal Congressional Update. Staff will provide an update on fisheries and wildlife legislation before the U.S. Congress.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes. (This item may be moved to day two or postponed).
      6C Summary Memo | 6C Presentation PDF | 6C Presentation PowerPoint
    4. Gulf Striped Bass Update. Staff will provide an update on recent management actions related to Gulf Striped Bass in the lower Ochlockonee River.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes. (This item may be moved to day two or postponed).
      6D Summary Memo | 6D Presentation PDF | 6D Presentation PowerPoint
    5. Conservation Engagement and Education Update. Staff will provide an update on projects and initiatives led by the Conservation Engagement and Education team.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes. (This item may be moved to day two or postponed).
      6E Summary Memo | 6E Presentation PDF | 6E Presentation PowerPoint
  2. Recess Wednesday’s portion of the meeting no later than 5:00 p.m.

8:30 a.m., Thursday, February 5

  1. Call to Order
  2. Items Requiring Action
    1. Final Rules – Hunting Rules for 2026 – 2027. Staff will present final rule amendments to revise select statewide hunting regulations and specific area regulations on wildlife management areas, wildlife and environmental areas, and miscellaneous areas to accomplish management objectives. Detailed proposed rule language is provided in the background documents for this item.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes. (This item may be moved to day one or postponed).
      9A Summary Memo | 9A Presentation PDF | 9A Presentation PowerPoint | 9A 68A-1.004 | 9A 68A-4.001 | 9A 68A-4.002 | 9A 68A-9.008 | 9A 68A-12.002 | 9A 68A-13.0001 | 9A 68A-13.004 | 9A 68A-13.007 | 9A 68A-15.004 | 9A 68A-15.004 NOC | 9A 68A-15.005 | 9A 68A-15.006 | 9A 68A-15.061 | 9A 68A-15.062 | 9A 68A-15.063 | 9A 68A-15.064 | 9A 68A-15.065 | 9A 68A-17.004 | 9A 68A-17.004 NOC | 9A 68A-17.005 | 9A 68A-24.002
    2. Proposed Final Rule – Wilson’s Plover, Blackbanded Sunfish, Okaloosa Darter Listing Status. Staff will recommend listing the Wilson’s plover and blackbanded sunfish as State-designated Threatened, and present proposed rule to add these species to the list of candidate species. Staff will also recommend removing the Okaloosa darter from Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species list. The FWC received a request to evaluate the blackbanded sunfish in 2022 and a request to evaluate the Wilson’s plover in 2023. The Commission-appointed Biological Review Groups determined both species meet criteria for listing, as summarized in the peer-reviewed Biological Status Review Reports. The final listing status change for both species would occur after Commission approval of a Species Action Plan with Species Conservation Measures and Permitting Guidelines at a future meeting. The Okaloosa darter was federally delisted in 2023, and a peer-reviewed Biological Status Review Report determined the species does not meet criteria for state listing.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes. (This item may be moved to day one or postponed).
      Note: Staff are requesting Commission approval to advertise the proposed rule and file for adoption as soon as possible. If approved, Commission staff will file the rules for adoption as allowed by s. 120.54(3) Florida Statutes, without further public hearing, unless requested.
      9B Summary Memo | 9B Presentation PDF | 9B Presentation PowerPoint | 9B 68A-27.0021 | 9B 68A-27.003 | 9B Background Report Biological Status Review | 9B Background Report Okaloosa Darter Management Plan
    3. Proposed Final Rule – Florida Reef Gecko Listing and Guidelines. Staff will seek approval to add the Florida reef gecko to the Florida Endangered and Threatened Species List. The final step of the state listing process requires Commission approval of a Species Action Plan with Species Conservation Measures and Permitting Guidelines, and updates to the Imperiled Species Management Plan to incorporate the gecko. If approved, staff will publish a Notice of Proposed Rule for Rule 68A-27.003, F.A.C., to remove the Florida reef gecko from the Candidate list, add the species to the State-designated Threatened species list, and to incorporate the Guidelines into rule by reference.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes. (This item may be moved to day one or postponed).
      Note: Staff are requesting Commission approval to advertise the proposed rule and file for adoption as soon as possible. If approved, Commission staff will file the rules for adoption as allowed by s. 120.54(3) Florida Statutes, without further public hearing, unless requested.
      9C Summary Memo | 9C Presentation PDF | 9C Presentation PowerPoint | 9C 68A-27 | 9C Background Report
    4. Proposed Rule – Indian River County Manatee Protection Zones (68C-22.007 F.A.C.). Staff will present proposed rules to modify portions of the Manatee Protection Zones in Indian River County. The proposed changes will address manatee protection and enforcement concerns in the area. Detailed proposed rules with maps are provided in the background documents for this item.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes. (This item may be moved to day one or postponed).
      9D Summary Memo | 9D Presentation PDF | 9D Presentation PowerPoint | 9D 68C-22.007 | 9D Background Report
  3. Future Agenda Items
  4. Commissioner Exchange
  5. Adjournment

The next Commission meeting is scheduled for May 13-14, 2026, commencing at 8:30 a.m. each day.

Consent Agenda

Any questions about consent agenda items should be addressed to agency staff prior to the Commission meeting.

  1. Biological Review Group Appointments. Staff propose members of the Biological Review Group for the Florida tree snail and mimic glass lizard. Staff received listing evaluation requests for the Florida tree snail and mimic glass lizard in 2025, and the initial biological vulnerability screenings indicated additional evaluation was warranted by a Biological Review Group. Biological Review Group members are approved by the Commission to serve as the species or habitat experts that evaluate the conservation status of a species, as part of the state listing process for imperiled species. The listing process and criteria used for evaluation are outlined in 68A-27 F.A.C.
    C1 Summary Memo | C1 Background Report
  2. Establishment of New Areas into the Wildlife Management Area System. Staff seek approval to establish three new Wildlife Management Areas: Catlett WMA (1,563 acres in Clay County), Creek Ranch WMA (1,342 acres in Polk County), and Lochloosa Slough WMA (5,247 acres in Alachua County); and one new Wildlife and Environmental Area: St. Andrew’s Flatwoods WEA (115 acres in Bay County). With the Commission’s approval, staff will execute Establishment Orders under the delegation of authority to the Executive Director to add these areas to the WMA System. Upon execution, the three WMAs will be open to public access, and hunting will be allowed beginning with the 2026-27 season. Upon execution, the WEA will be open to public access, but closed to hunting, given that the primary management objective for this area is to provide critical habitat for threatened and endangered species.
    C2 Summary Memo
  3. Proposed Final Rule – Alligator Management Program Rule Updates. Staff seek approval to amend Rules 68A-25.002, 68A-25.004, 68A-25.031, 68A-25.032, 68A-25.042, and 68A-25.049 F.A.C., to update rules related to public water alligator egg collections, clarify provisions regarding containment of farm alligators, and align harvest reporting requirements with FWC rules regarding hunting and fishing reporting.
    Note: Staff are requesting Commission approval to advertise the proposed rule and file for adoption as soon as possible. If approved, Commission staff will file the rules for adoption as allowed by s. 120.54(3) Florida Statutes, without further public hearing, unless requested.
    C3 Summary Memo | C3 68A-25.002 | C3 68A-25.004 | C3 68A-25.031 | C3 68A-25.032 | C3 68A-25.042 | C3 68A-25.049
  4. Proposed Final Rule – Recreational Use Permits. Staff seek approval to amend Rule 68A-9.004, F.A.C., to adjust the number and price of Recreational Use Permits for Gulf Hammock and Grove Park WMAs, at the request of the landowner.
    Note: Staff are requesting Commission approval to advertise the proposed rule and file for adoption as soon as possible. If approved, Commission staff will file the rules for adoption as allowed by s. 120.54(3) Florida Statutes, without further public hearing, unless requested.
    C4 Summary Memo | C4 68A-9.004
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