Commercial mullet harvest will be allowed on weekends

Commercial mullet harvest will be allowed on weekends

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved a rule that will allow the commercial harvest of striped or black mullet on weekends. This rule was approved at the FWC public meeting in Dania Beach on Thursday.

The commercial harvest of mullet has been prohibited on weekends during certain months of the year since 1989 to help protect mullet when they spawn. A recent FWC stock assessment indicates that mullet populations are now healthy enough statewide to safely sustain commercial mullet harvesting on weekends.

"This rule will give commercial fishermen more time to fish and supply fresh mullet to local markets without adversely affecting Florida’s mullet population," said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto.

This rule takes effect on July 13.