Saltwater Public Comments
The FWC welcomes comments on any species, even those not featured on this page, at any time via the comment form below, email at Marine@MyFWC.com or phone at 850-487-0554.
The following topics are either tentatively slated to be brought before the Commission in the near future or items FWC staff plan to begin working on.
This is not an all-encompassing list and topics may be moved to a later date or not discussed at all.
Visit the Commission meeting agenda page to see what FWC staff will be presenting to the Commission at an upcoming meeting.
Public Workshops
Share your input in person by attending a public workshop.
Future Commission Meeting Items
FWC is considering changes to rules governing the Marine Special Activity License (SAL) program (Chapter 68B-8, F.A.C.). Potential changes under consideration will address topics including the collection of marine prohibited species for exhibition, emergency response, and aquaculture research; updates to the Florida Marine Science Educators Association (FMSEA) Certification; tagging of marine organisms; and updates to non-conforming gear SALs.
A virtual public workshop on this topic was held in December 2025, and an additional virtual public workshop will be held in January 2026. For information about these workshops, visit: MyFWC.com/SaltwaterWorkshops
Recommendations for proposed rules are expected to be presented to the FWC Commission at their February 2026 Commission meeting. For details about Commission meetings, visit: MyFWC.com/About/Commission/Commission Meetings
To comment on this topic, please use the form below.
The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking input on the regulation and management of commercial and recreational oyster harvest in Florida, and specifically in Apalachicola Bay. Potential updates under consideration are changes to licensing requirements for fishery participants, bag limits, seasons, tolerances for undersized attached and unattached oysters, enforcement of undersized oysters in a certified oyster house, modifying how harvest units are measured.
Staff will be hosting public in-person and virtual workshops from April-June. In-person workshops will be hosted in Apalachicola, Pensacola, Cedar Key, and St. Augustine. For more information on these workshops, visit MyFWC.com/SaltwaterWorkshops.
Public feedback will inform staff’s rule recommendations to the Commission. Apalachicola & statewide oyster management proposed rules will be presented at the August 2025 Commission meeting. For details about Commission meetings, visit MyFWC.com/About/Commission/Commission Meetings
If you are unable to attend the in-person or virtual workshops but would still like to comment on this topic, please use the form below or send an email to Marine@MyFWC.com.
Other topics
The FWC will be reviewing several trap fisheries in the upcoming year including spiny lobster, blue crab, pinfish/baitfish, trap retrieval, recreational trap fisheries, and traps used for shellfish aquaculture leases.
Have ideas for the future of Gulf recreational gag grouper managment?
While Gulf gag grouper remains overfished and is currently under a rebuilding plan, FWC believes there are opportunities to improve access while continuing to support the stock’s recovery.
Specifically, FWC wants to hear your ideas and feedback that can help inform the future direction of specific components of Florida’s recreational gag grouper fishery, including:
- What is your preferred season structure (e.g., time of year, length of season, weekends vs. weekdays)?What should the bag limit be? Should we consider a vessel limit?
- Should regulations differ between for-hire (charter and headboats) and private anglers?
- Would you be willing to report your gag grouper fishing data via an app?
- Would you be interested in regional management?
We welcome feedback on the above topics, along with any other ideas you have for the management of Gulf gag grouper. Staff will be hosting a series of public workshops from February 24 through March 10. For more information on these workshops, visit MyFWC.com/SaltwaterWorkshops.
If you are unable to attend the in-person or virtual workshops but would still like to comment on this topic, please use the form below or send an email to Marine@MyFWC.com.