Marine Fisheries Workshops

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is holding public workshops to gather input on proposed rules for the regulation and management of commercial and recreational oyster harvest in Apalachicola Bay, as well as regulations that would apply statewide. Topics for the proposed rules include commercial and recreational licensing requirements; setting annual harvest levels and bag limits; harvest seasons; reporting requirements; and authorized landing locations. 

Workshop dates, locations, and times are as follows:

Sept. 30 – Apalachicola 6-8 p.m. ET at County Commission Meeting Room, 34 Forbes St., Apalachicola, FL 32320.

Oct. 7 – Apalachicola 6-8 p.m. ET at the Chapman Auditorium, 155 Avenue E, Apalachicola, FL 32320.

Oct. 14 – Bronson 6-8 p.m. ET at Dogan S. Cobb Municipal Building,660 E. Hathaway Avenue Bronson FL  32621

If you are unable to attend, you can provide input by submitting comments through our FWC Saltwater Public Comments page or by emailing Marine@MyFWC.com.   

Your feedback will inform staff’s recommendation for final rules for oyster management in Apalachicola Bay and statewide that the Commission will consider at their November 2025 meeting. 

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is hosting a series of in-person public workshops and one virtual webinar to gather input from anglers that will help shape the recreational gag grouper fishery off Florida’s Gulf coast, including state management.

FWC recognizes that the current management structure for Gulf gag grouper has been challenging for anglers. Although the stock remains in a rebuilding period, FWC believes there are opportunities to improve access while continuing to support the stock’s recovery.

With additional quota expected for 2026, now is an important time to consider what anglers want out of their gag grouper fishery and how FWC can work towards meaningful management improvements. Specifically, we want to hear your ideas and feedback to 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?

Workshop Schedule

• Feb. 23 – Crawfordville at Wakulla Environmental Institute, 170 Preservation Way, Crawfordville FL 32327 from 6-8 pm ET
• Feb. 24 – Port St. Joe at Port Inn Hall, 309 6th Street, Port St. Joe, FL 32456 from 6-8 pm CT
• Feb. 25 – Destin at Destin Community Center, 101 Stahlman Avenue, Destin, FL 32541 from 6-8 pm CT
• Feb. 26 – Steinhatchee at Steinhatchee Community Center, 1013 Riverside Drive, Steinhatchee, FL 32359 from 6-8 pm ET
• March 3 – Homosassa at Homosassa Public Library, 4100 S. Grandmarch Avenue, Homosassa FL 34446 from 6-8pm ET
• March 4 – Tarpon Springs at Tarpon Springs Public Library, 138 East Lemon Street, Tarpon Springs FL 34689 from 6-8 pm ET
• March 5 – Madeira Beach at Patricia Shontz Commission Chambers, 300 Municipal Drive, Madeira Beach FL 33708 from 6-8 pm ET
• March 10 – Virtual Webinar, Webinar link will be posted here the day of the meeting

If you are unable to attend, you can provide input by submitting comments through our FWC Saltwater Public Comments page or by emailing Marine@MyFWC.com.

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is considering changes to rules in Chapters 68B-2 and 68B-8, Florida Administrative Code, as the third phase of improvements to the Marine Special Activity License (SAL) program. 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.

There are two virtual public workshops to gather input on potential Phase III updates to rules governing the Marine SAL program. Information about each workshop is listed below:

Dec. 18, 2025: (A recording of this workshop is available on YouTube.)

• Virtual Webinar, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. EST
• Topics: Marine prohibited species
• During this webinar, FWC staff provided a presentation on the current regulations related to the collection of marine prohibited species through the Marine SAL program for activities including exhibition, emergency response, and aquaculture research. Marine prohibited species include marine organisms for which harvest, possession, or sale are prohibited by FWC rule or Chapter 379, Florida Statutes, such as giant manta ray, devil ray, tarpon, Goliath grouper, bonefish, and Bahama starfish. During this workshop, staff solicited and received feedback on a range of potential rule changes related to marine prohibited species.

Jan. 8, 2026: (A recording of this workshop is available on YouTube)

• Virtual Webinar, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. EST
• Topics: FMSEA Certification, tagging marine organisms, non-conforming Gear SALs
• During this webinar, staff discussed and received feedback on additional potential Phase III updates to Marine SAL program rules related to the FMSEA Certification, tagging of marine organisms, and changes to improve the organization of regulations related to non-conforming gear SALs so they are easier for the public to locate and understand.

Public feedback gathered during these virtual public workshops and other engagement efforts will inform staff’s recommendations for proposed rules that the Commission will consider at its February 2026 meeting. 

All stakeholders interested in the Marine Special Activity License program are encouraged to participate. If you are unable to attend a workshop, you may provide input on this topic by submitting comments by visiting MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments or emailing Marine@MyFWC.com.