Marine Fisheries Workshops
Check back for updates on future workshops.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) wants to hear from you about cownose rays! Our researchers have documented declines in local abundance of cownose rays in some Florida estuaries, prompting staff to establish new management for cownose rays. To prevent further declines and establish conservation measures for cownose rays, FWC staff is recommending the Commission establish regulations that would include a recreational bag limit of two rays per person or vessel, whichever is less; a commercial bag limit of 20 per commercial harvester or vessel, whichever is less; possession limits; and allowable gear and methods of harvest.
Staff is seeking input on these recommendations and would like to invite all stakeholders with an interest in Florida’s cownose rays to join us for one of our two virtual public workshops:
· Tuesday, July 14, 2026- 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. ET
· Thursday, July 16, 2026 - 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. ET
During these workshops, staff will review cownose rays in Florida, current regulations, and recommendations for regulations specific to cownose rays. After the presentation, the public can ask questions and provide public comment. Feedback from these workshops will be considered ahead of the proposed final rule hearing at the August 2026 Commission meeting.
For details about Commission meetings, visit MyFWC.com/About/Commission/Commission Meetings. To submit a written comment about cownose ray management, please visit the FWC Saltwater Comments webpage, or email Marine@MyFWC.com.
If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact us at 850-487-0554 or Marine@MyFWC.com.
To view a recording of the presentation provided during the first round of workshops for cownose ray rulemaking, visit Cownose Rays - 2026 Virtual Workshop Presentation Recording.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) hosted 7 in-person public workshops and one virtual webinar from February 23 through March 10 to gather input from recreational anglers along Florida’s Gulf coast on what they would like to see for the future of the Gulf gag grouper fishery under state management.
If you were unable to attend, you can provide input by submitting comments through our FWC Saltwater Public Comments page or by emailing Marine@MyFWC.com.
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?
For questions, contact the Division of Marine Fisheries Management at (850) 487-0554.