FWC News

Showing 121 through 130 of 146 articles for tag commission

• FWC Commissioners elect Chairman and Vice Chairman

  Friday, December 18, 2020 -  At its December meeting, FWC Commissioners elected Rodney Barreto, of Coral Gables, to serve as Chairman and re-elected Mike Sole, of Tequesta, Vice Chairman.

• FWC approves draft proposal to protect fish spawning aggregations near Western Dry Rocks

  Thursday, December 17, 2020 -  If approved at the February 2021 meeting, proposed changes would prohibit all fishing from May through June in a 1-square-mile area near Western Dry Rocks. Staff will also be evaluating whether to extend the closure to four months.

• Media Statement: FWC approves new guidelines for 2 species

  Thursday, December 17, 2020 -  The southeastern American kestrel and the Florida tree snail will benefit from the new species guidelines.

• FWC approves draft language; directs staff to continue working on diamondback terrapin conservation proposal

  Thursday, December 17, 2020 -  Staff will continue looking into prohibiting the take and possession of diamondback terrapins as well as the use and utility of bycatch reduction devices (BRD) in blue crab traps as one way to minimize the potential of adult terrapins from entering crab traps.

• FWC approves regulation changes for flounder effective March 1

  Wednesday, December 16, 2020 -  A stock status update suggested that the flounder fishery statewide has been in a general declining trend in recent years and is likely overfished and undergoing overfishing on the Atlantic coast of Florida.

• FWC approves measures to support recovery and restoration of oysters in Apalachicola Bay

  Wednesday, December 16, 2020 -  These changes include the temporary suspension of all wild oyster harvest and the prohibition of on-the-water possession of wild oyster harvesting equipment (tongs) from Apalachicola Bay through Dec. 31, 2025.

• FWC virtual meeting Dec. 16-17 open to the public

  Monday, November 30, 2020 -  The meeting will be held virtually due to COVID-19 social distancing guidelines using Adobe Connect with a telephone conference line for accepting public comments.

• Fishing for reef fish? FWC encourages best fishing practices; approves new hook regulations

  Thursday, October 8, 2020 -  Starting Jan. 1, 2021, anglers using hook-and-line with natural baits to target reef fish like snapper or grouper from a vessel in Atlantic state waters will be required to use non-stainless-steel, non-offset circle hooks north of 28 degrees north latitude (near Melbourne) and non-stainless-steel hooks south of 28 degrees north latitude.

• FWC approves draft proposal for flounder; final consideration slated for December

  Wednesday, October 7, 2020 -  A recent stock status update suggested that the flounder fishery statewide has been in a general declining trend in recent years and is likely overfished and undergoing overfishing on the Atlantic coast of Florida.

• FWC approves changes to blueline tilefish recreational harvest in Atlantic state waters

  Wednesday, October 7, 2020 -  These new regulations are consistent with those in Atlantic federal waters and could help prevent both recreational quota overages and overfishing.