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May 2026

Date: May 13, 2026 Time: 8:30 am
Location:

Caloosa Sound Convention Center
Caloosa Ballroom
1375 Monroe St, Fort Myers, FL 33901

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, May 13

  1. Call to Order
    1. Call to Order
    2. Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance
  2. Administrative Matters
    1. Approve February 2026 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. Sonya Rood Volunteer of the Year Award
    2. Youth Hunting Program of Florida – Landowner of the Year Award
    3. Vic Heller Hunter Safety Instructor of the Year Award

BREAK

  1. Items Requiring Action

    1. Proposed Final Rule – Atlantic Red Snapper. Staff will provide an update on Florida’s Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) proposal to test state management of the recreational Atlantic red snapper fishery in adjacent federal waters off Florida, as well as a proposed final rule that would create a reporting requirement for the Atlantic for-hire red snapper/reef fish fishery. Staff will present the following proposed final rule:

      68B-14.009 Reporting Requirement– In accordance with Section 379.354(7)(e) F.S., the proposed final rule would create the Atlantic For-Hire Reef Fish Registry for 2026-2028. Specifically, the proposed final rule would require charter, headboat, and saltwater fishing guide operations that target or harvest certain reef fish in Atlantic waters (including Monroe County), to report their intention to harvest or attempt to harvest the following species: red snapper, vermilion snapper, yellowtail snapper, mutton snapper, hogfish, gag grouper, red grouper, black grouper, gray triggerfish, greater amberjack, lesser amberjack, banded rudderfish, or almaco jack.

      Additionally, staff will provide an update on a draft Executive Order to establish the 2026 Atlantic red snapper recreational season, bag and size limits, and subsequent participant requirements as part of the EFP.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes. (This item may be 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.
      5A Summary Memo | 5A Presentation PDF | 5A Presentation PowerPoint | 5A 68B-14.009
    2. Final Rules – Marine Special Activity License (SAL) Phase III Updates. Staff will present recommendations for final rule changes to chapters 68B-2 and 68B-8, F.A.C., as the third phase of improvements to the Marine SAL program. Proposed final rules include changes to the collection of marine prohibited species for exhibition, the Florida Marine Educators Association Certification, regulations related to the tagging of marine organisms, non-conforming gear SALs, and updates to application forms.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes. (This item may be postponed).
      5B Summary Memo | 5B Presentation PDF | 5B Presentation PowerPoint | 5B 68B-2.012 | 5B 68B-8.002 | 5B 68B-8.003 | 5B 68B-8.006 | 5B 68B-8.007 | 5B 68B-8.008 | 5B 68B-8.009 | 5B 68B-8.010 | 5B 68B-8.011 | 5B 68B-8.012 | 5B 68B-8.013 | 5B 68B-8.0131 | 5B 68B-8.0132 | 5B 68B-8.0133 | 5B Nonprofit Corporation Application Form | 5B Gear Innovation Application Form | 5B Marine Prohibited Species Policy
  2. Staff Reports
    1. South Atlantic Fishery Management Council Report. Staff will report on actions and discussions from the March 2-6 meeting. Topics will include headboat vessel limits, removing species from the Snapper Grouper Fishery Management Plan, and an update on next steps for black sea bass management.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes. (This item may be postponed).
      6A Summary Memo | 6A Presentation PDF | 6A Presentation PowerPoint
    2. Gulf Council Report. Staff will report on actions and discussions from the April 7-9 meeting. Expected topics will include red snapper, lane snapper, greater amberjack, gag grouper, and other topics relevant to Florida. Staff will also provide an update on an Exempted Fishing Permit (EFP) proposal to test state management of the recreational gag grouper fishery in adjacent federal waters.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes. (This item may be postponed).
      6B Summary Memo | 6B Presentation PDF | 6B Presentation PowerPoint
    3. Marine Fisheries Management Annual Workplan. Staff will review new and ongoing marine fisheries programs and management issues anticipated to be worked on during the 2026/2027 fiscal year. These issues and programs will comprise the DMFM 2026/2027 Workplan. This presentation will also highlight the work completed during the previous workplan cycle. Staff will request approval of the proposed workplan for the 2026/2027 fiscal year.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes. (This item may be postponed).
      6C Summary Memo | 6C Presentation PDF | 6C Presentation PowerPoint
  3. Items Requiring Action
    1. Proposed Final Rule – Lake Okeechobee Haul Seine Regulation Update. Staff will present proposed rule amendments related to the Lake Okeechobee commercial haul seine net fishery. Changes include updates to program organization and replacement of the existing fish tagging requirement with a trip ticket catch reporting system.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes. (This item may be 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.
      7A Summary Memo | 7A Presentation PDF | 7A Presentation PowerPoint | 7A 68A-23.012

ANTICIPATED LUNCH BREAK

    1. Proposed Final Rules – Off-Highway Vehicle Hunting Permit for J.W. Corbett WMA. Staff will present proposed rule amendments to establish an Off-highway Vehicle Hunting Permit for Wildlife Management Areas and associated vehicle access regulations on J.W. Corbett WMA to support resource management objectives while providing continued off-road vehicle use for traditional hunting activities.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes. (This item may be 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.
      7B Summary Memo | 7B Presentation PDF | 7B Presentation PowerPoint | 7B 68A-9.007 | 7B 68A-15.004 | 7B 68A-15.064 | 7B 68A-17.004
  2. Staff Reports
    1. Wild Turkey Management Program Update. Staff will present a high-level overview of the Wild Turkey Management Program, highlighting elements of the 2019-2028 Strategic Plan. Staff will cover the nationally recognized Wild Turkey Cost Share program, recent program developments and regulation changes, and ongoing research projects.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes. (This item may be postponed).
      8A Summary Memo | 8A Presentation PDF | 8A Presentation PowerPoint
    2. Florida’s Private Lands Deer Management Program. Staff will present a summary of the voluntary Private Lands Deer Management Program (PLDMP). The goal of the PLDMP is to meet the needs and desires of private landowners and leaseholders regarding deer management through a voluntary program that provides greater flexibility in herd and harvest management and promotes habitat conservation and hunting heritage efforts. The PLDMP is for parcels of sufficient size to successfully implement deer herd and wildlife management measures.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes. (This item may be postponed).
      8B Summary Memo | 8B Presentation PDF | 8B Presentation PowerPoint
    3. Update on Volunteerism and Public Participation in Conservation. Staff will present on the agency’s volunteer programs, showcasing successes, areas of growth, and the expanding role of participatory science in FWC’s mission. Public participation is thriving as volunteers, citizen scientists, partners, and staff unite through hands-on stewardship, field support, and online engagement. Strong cross-divisional collaboration has strengthened a culture of service, and current growth focuses on equipping volunteer managers with best practices and new tools, improving data feedback to volunteers and citizen scientists, refreshing digital resources, and launching a public-facing portal to streamline volunteer access and participation.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes. (This item may be postponed).
      8C Summary Memo | 8C Presentation PDF | 8C Presentation PowerPoint
    4. The Nose Knows: Using a detection dog to reveal the hidden ecology of mink, spotted skunks, and weasels. Several of Florida’s small carnivores are rare, believed to be declining, and difficult to detect, so FWRI acquired a detection dog to improve staff’s ability to detect multiple Species of Greatest Conservation Need (SGCN). This update summarizes several years of statewide detection dog surveys that have expanded understanding of species distribution, ecology, and status.
      Public comment on this agenda item will be limited to no more than 30 minutes. (This item may be postponed).
      8D Summary Memo | 8D Presentation PDF | 8D Presentation PowerPoint
  3. Future Agenda Items
  4. Commissioner Exchange
  5. Adjournment
    The next Commission meeting is scheduled for August 5-6, 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. Proposed 2027 Commission Meeting Dates. Staff seek approval of the proposed 2027 Commission meeting dates.
    C1 2027 Meeting Dates
  2. Final Rule – Indian River County Manatee Protection Zones (68C-22.007 F.A.C.). Staff seek approval of final rules to modify portions of the Manatee Protection Zones in Indian River County. The changes will address manatee protection and enforcement concerns in the area. Detailed final rules with maps are provided in the background documents for this item.
    C2 Summary Memo | C2 68C-22.007 | C2 Background Document
  3. Proposed Final Rule – Nonresident Hunting License Requirements. Staff seek approval to amend Rule 68A-4.001, F.A.C., to require nonresident hunters to purchase an annual hunting license to take game and furbearers, unless exempted by s. 379.353 Florida Statutes. This change would eliminate the option of the 10-day hunting license for nonresident hunters.
    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-4.001
  4. Proposed Final Rule – Alligator Management Program Rule Updates. Staff seek approval to amend Rules 68A-25.032, 68A-25.042, 68A-25.049, and 68A-25.052 F.A.C., to clarify alligator harvest reporting requirements, address connectivity limitations, and update processor requirements for consistency with online 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.
    C4 Summary Memo | C4 68A-25.032 | C4 68A-25.042 | C4 68A-25.049 | C4 68A-25.052
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