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, Florida Administrative Code). Potential changes under consideration include updates to eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria, license conditions, and requirements for tagging marine organisms; modifying terminology related to third-party contractors, revising the definition of prohibited species and prohibited species collection criteria; streamlining rules related to the transferability of marine organisms harvested under an SAL; updates to Scientific Research, Education/Exhibition, Stock Collection and Release, Snook, Gear Innovation, Governmental Purpose, Nonprofit Corporation, and Marine Chemical SALs; and updates to the Florida Marine Science Educators Association Certification process.
There will be a virtual public workshop on this topic on March 7, 2025. For information about this workshop, visit: MyFWC.com/SaltwaterWorkshops
Proposed rules will be presented to the FWC Commission at their May 2025 Commission meeting. For details about Commission meetings, visit: MyFWC.com/About/Commission/Commission Meetings
To comment on this topic, please use the form below.
FWC is exploring different ways to promote post-release survival of tarpon in this important location. We’d like to hear your input! Please send us your ideas and recommendations for ways to protect this iconic fishery.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) wants your feedback on proposed rule amendments to increase shrimp harvest opportunities in Nassau and Duval Counties. Proposed rule amendments include increasing the dead shrimp allowance for live bait harvesters from 1 gallon to 5 gallons and opening portions of the Pumpkin Hill Creek area off the Nassau River to recreational and commercial shrimp harvest from September through December.
There will be an in-person workshop held on February 12, 2025 from 6:00-8:00pm, at the Jacksonville Public Library, Pablo Creek Regional (13295 Beach Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32246).
For more information about this workshop, visit the FWC Saltwater Workshops page.
If you are unable to attend the in-person workshop but would still like to comment on this topic, please use the form below.
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.