FWC News

Showing 151 through 160 of 458 articles for tag saltwater

• St. Johns River blue crab trap closure starts Jan. 16

  Monday, January 8, 2024 -  This closure will give groups authorized by the FWC the opportunity to identify and retrieve lost and abandoned blue crab traps from the water.

• FWC seeks public input on Pasco Zone bay scallop season at Jan. 9 virtual workshop

  Thursday, January 4, 2024 -  Based on public feedback and the outcome of this recent season, staff are recommending establishing a 40-day season, beginning July 10 through Aug. 18, in rule for future seasons in the Pasco Zone.

• Recreational harvest of shallow water grouper in Atlantic state waters closed Jan. 1

  Wednesday, January 3, 2024 -  The shallow water grouper complex includes black, gag, yellowfin, scamp, yellowmouth, red, coney, graysby, red hind, and rock hind.

• FWC reminds anglers of changes for snook beginning Jan. 1

  Wednesday, December 27, 2023 -  The new regions are part of the FWC's holistic management approach for Florida's most popular inshore fisheries.

• New trap tags for commercial lobster and crab traps starting Jan. 1

  Friday, December 15, 2023 -  For the 2024-25 season, all commercial trap tags will be green and printed with “FWCC,” the season year, tag type and endorsement number (for example, FWCC 24/25 VHI-123456).

• Start planning for the new year: The FWC announces new Saltwater Fishing Record categories coming in 2024

  Tuesday, November 28, 2023 -  In addition to the current All Tackle and Fly-Fishing Weight categories, the FWC will add a Youth Weight category for anglers aged 15 and under, and Youth and Adult Length categories to allow for catch-and-release records.

• FWC seeks public input on Pasco County Zone bay scallop season at Nov. 8 virtual workshop

  Friday, November 3, 2023 -  The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is gathering public feedback on potential changes to the bay scallop season for the Pasco County Zone. The Pasco County Zone currently has a 10-day season in rule but a longer, trial season was set by executive order in 2023 to assess whether extending the season would balance resource sustainability with community interests. Based on the outcome of this recent season, staff are exploring different options for future seasons in the Pasco County Zone.

• Recreational harvest of hogfish closes in waters of the Atlantic/Florida Keys starting Nov. 1 

  Tuesday, October 31, 2023 -  This closure includes all state and federal waters south of Cape Sable, which is on the Gulf side of Florida and up the Atlantic coast.

• Seasonal closure for spotted seatrout in the Central East Management Region starting Nov. 1

  Friday, October 27, 2023 -  Spotted seatrout will be closed to recreational harvest Nov. 1 through Dec. 31 in the Central East Management Region, which includes all state and federal waters from Palm Beach through Volusia counties.

• FWC unveils 2023 Lionfish Challenge King and Commercial Champion, celebrating a record-breaking year

  Thursday, October 19, 2023 -  Dedicated divers embarked on 917 trips throughout the state during the 4-month tournament, triumphantly removing a staggering 30,494 lionfish from Florida state waters, nearly 5,000 more than last year.