FWC News

Showing 81 through 90 of 327 articles for tag saltwater

• Give released reef fish a better chance: FWC, American Sportfishing Association, Coastal Conservation Association Florida remind anglers to carry barotrauma mitigation tools to help conserve reef fish

  Wednesday, March 29, 2023 -  Starting April 1, anglers fishing from a vessel targeting reef fish will be required to have on board a descending device or venting tool that is rigged and ready for use to help conserve reef fish in state waters.

• Save the date: FWC and Destin–Fort Walton Beach host 9th Annual Lionfish Festival May 20-21

  Tuesday, March 28, 2023 -  This outdoor event is free, open to the public and will feature family-friendly activities, art, diving and marine conservation booths, live music, fillet demonstrations, and the world’s largest lionfish tournament, the Emerald Coast Open.

• Recreational regulation changes for Atlantic red porgy start April 1

  Tuesday, March 28, 2023 -  The FWC recently approved recreational management changes for red porgy and several other reef fish to be consistent with recent federal changes.

• Spiny lobster season closes April 1

  Tuesday, March 28, 2023 -  The season will reopen Aug. 6 and the two-day recreational sport season is the last consecutive Wednesday and Thursday of July, which is July 26 and 27 this year.

• Permit spawning season closure inside the Special Permit Zone starts April 1

  Monday, March 27, 2023 -  This closure includes all state and federal waters south of Cape Sable on the Gulf coast and south of Cape Florida on the Atlantic coast including all of the Florida Keys and Biscayne Bay south of Rickenbacker Causeway.

• FWC statewide snook workshops start next week 

  Thursday, March 16, 2023 -  FWC staff is proposing to establish 10 new management regions with snook regulations based on the status of the fishery in each region.

• Report horseshoe crab sightings to FWC for science

  Monday, March 6, 2023 -  It’s almost spring and that means it’s peak mating season for horseshoe crabs. Help biologists with the FWC gather valuable information about these ancient creatures by reporting sightings on the online survey.

• Gray triggerfish and spotted seatrout open for recreational harvest on March 1

  Tuesday, February 28, 2023 -  Learn more about recreational fishing regulations at MyFWC.com/Marine by clicking on “Recreational Regulations.”

• FWC seeks public input at virtual workshops on protections for goliath grouper spawning aggregations

  Monday, February 27, 2023 -  If you are unable to join the workshops, feedback can still be provided by visiting MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments or emailing Marine@MyFWC.com.

• Keep crabs in and terrapins out, FWC rule for recreational crab traps goes into effect March 1

  Monday, February 27, 2023 -  Starting in March, recreational crab traps in Florida will be required to have rigid funnel openings no larger than 2 x 6 inches at the narrowest point or 2 x 6-inch bycatch reduction devices installed to reduce accidental trapping of diamondback terrapins, which has been a significant threat to the species.