FWC proposes changes in Gulf fishing rules

FWC proposes changes in Gulf fishing rules

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has proposed rule amendments for gag grouper in Gulf of Mexico state waters to be consistent with anticipated regulations in Gulf federal waters. In addition, the FWC is proposing to allow Florida recreational anglers to harvest more red grouper in Gulf state waters.

A recent stock assessment indicated that Gulf gag grouper is undergoing overfishing (excessive harvesting pressure) and harvest levels must be reduced. Interim federal regulations to address this situation are expected to be implemented in January in Gulf waters beyond nine nautical miles offshore, and the FWC is proposing gag grouper rule amendments for state waters that are consistent with the federal regulations.

These rules would establish a two-fish per person recreational daily bag limit for gag grouper within the five-grouper aggregate limit in Gulf state waters, and prohibit the recreational harvest of gag grouper from Gulf state waters from Feb. 1 through March 31. Currently, recreational fishers in the Gulf are allowed to keep up to five gag grouper daily, and there is no recreational closed season.

The FWC is also proposing a rule amendment that would increase the recreational daily bag limit for red grouper in Gulf state waters from one fish per person to two beginning Jan. 1. A recent stock assessment concluded that the Gulf red grouper stock has recovered enough to allow an increase in harvest levels, and it is expected that the recreational red grouper bag limit in Gulf federal waters will be increased to two fish sometime in 2009.

The FWC has also proposed raising the minimum harvest size for greater amberjack and gray triggerfish in Gulf of Mexico state waters. The FWC is proposing these rule changes to be consistent with new regulations in Gulf federal waters, which extend beyond nine nautical miles offshore of Florida.

Federal fisheries managers recently implemented a stock rebuilding plan for greater amberjack and gray triggerfish in Gulf federal waters. Greater amberjack in the Gulf are considered to be overfished (low stock abundance) and undergoing overfishing (excessive harvesting pressure), and gray triggerfish in the Gulf are considered to be undergoing overfishing.

The FWC is proposing rule amendments consistent with the Gulf federal regulations by increasing the recreational minimum harvest size for greater amberjack from 28 to 30 inches fork length and increasing the commercial and recreational minimum harvest size for gray triggerfish from 12 to 14 inches fork length in Gulf state waters.

A final public hearing on the proposed rule amendments will be held in December in Key West.