FWC meets in Jacksonville

FWC meets in Jacksonville

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) sorted through an array of fish and wildlife issues during its three-day meeting that ended Friday at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront hotel.

The Commission adopted a new daily bag limit on freshwater turtles. The new limit is five, except for species that already have lower bag limits. However, fishermen with a commercial license are allowed to harvest 20 Florida soft-shell turtles per day. FWC biologists believe the measure will help protect freshwater turtle populations while the agency develops a comprehensive management and conservation strategy for wildlife species that are not regulated under current rules.

Commissioners also approved a prohibition against waterfowl hunting from or within 30 yards of any permanent duck blind on lakes Miccosukee, Iamonia, Carr and Jackson in Leon and Jefferson counties

People wishing to adopt nonnative animals at FWC-authorized pet amnesty day events will be subject to new procedures and standards the Commissioners approved to help prevent illegal release of nonnative fish and wildlife.

The Commission also heard presentations on proposed rules for captive wildlife regulations.

In other action, Commissioners discussed major proposed rule changes to wildlife and fisheries regulations for 2009-10 and heard staff recommendations for improving Florida’s quota hunt system for public hunting on wildlife management areas.

On Thursday, the Commission considered proposed changes on boating restrictions in Martin and Okeechobee counties.

The rest of the agenda on Thursday revolved around marine issues. The FWC proposed a rule amendment that would establish a two-fish-per-person recreational daily bag limit within the five-grouper aggregate limit and prohibit the recreational harvest of gag grouper from Feb. 1 through March 31 in Gulf of Mexico state waters. These proposed actions are consistent with new interim regulations expected to take effect in Gulf federal waters in January.

The FWC is also proposing a rule amendment that would increase the daily recreational bag limit for red grouper in Gulf state waters from one fish per person to two.

In other marine fisheries action, Commissioners proposed rule amendments that would make greater amberjack and gray triggerfish rules in Gulf state waters consistent with new regulations in Gulf federal waters. The proposed rules would increase the recreational minimum harvest size for greater amberjack from 28 to 30 inches fork length and increase the commercial and recreational minimum harvest size for gray triggerfish from 12 to 14 inches fork length in Gulf state waters.

Final public hearings on the Gulf grouper, amberjack and triggerfish rule proposals will be held during the FWC’s December meeting in Key West.

Commissioners also reviewed and discussed a wide range of federal Gulf and Atlantic fishery management issues, including individual fishing quota programs in the Gulf.

Friday’s session focused on legislative proposals for the 2009 session of the Florida Legislature. Those proposals include the agency’s budget requests and several policy changes.

The full agenda is available online at www.MyFWC.com/commission/2008/Sep08/index.htm.

The next FWC meeting will be at Key West, Dec. 3-4.