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 revising marine fisheries trip ticket reporting requirements to make all reporting electronic (no longer allowing paper tickets), clarifying requirements for who must submit reports and when, setting a weekly reporting period, and requiring a record of sale until trip tickets are submitted.
A virtual public workshop occurred on July 30, 2024. For those who missed the virtual workshop, a recording of the workshop can be accessed on the FWC Saltwater Fishing YouTube channel. For information about this workshop, visit: https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/rulemaking/workshops/.
Proposed final rules will be presented to the FWC Commission at their September 2024 Commission meeting. For details about Commission meetings, visit: https://myfwc.com/about/commission/commission-meetings/.
To comment on this topic, please use the form below.
FWC is considering changes to rules governing the Marine Special Activity License (SAL) program. Potential changes under consideration include updates to eligibility requirements, license periods, and license conditions; updates to the SAL program administration process; streamlining the FWC Law Enforcement notification process; repealing the Dredge SAL; and updating the Aquaculture Broodstock Collection and Stock Collection and Release SALs.
A virtual public workshop on this topic occurred on August 13, 2024. For information about this workshop, visit: https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/rulemaking/workshops/.
Proposed rules will be presented to the FWC Commission at their September 2024 Commission meeting. For details about Commission meetings, visit: https://myfwc.com/about/commission/commission-meetings/.
To comment on this topic, please use the form below.
FWC wants your feedback on an upcoming federal consistency action to add oceanic whitetip shark to the prohibited species list. Oceanic whitetip shark was listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 2018. In response, NOAA Fisheries prohibited the retention and possession of oceanic whitetip in all U.S. federal waters of the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean Sea. The Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission modified their Coastal Sharks Interstate Fishery Management Plan (ISFMP) to set the oceanic whitetip shark retention limit at zero in support of the federal conservation effort. Staff will recommend adding oceanic whitetip shark to the prohibited species list for Florida’s state waters, which would prohibit harvest, landing, or harming the species, and facilitate implementation of the ISFMP.
Comment on this item using 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.