Florida FWC seeks input on possible management changes to spotted seatrout, sharks
OutdoorHub 06.14.11
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) invites people interested in spotted seatrout and sharks to learn about and discuss possible management changes.
The FWC will hold a series of public workshops to review the 2010 spotted seatrout stock assessment and to gather comments on possible changes to its management. Specifically, staff will discuss possible modifications to recreational regulations for spotted seatrout in the species’ northeast, southeast and southwest regions. These include a reduction in closed months and an increase to the bag limit in the southern region. Staff will also discuss possible modifications to the commercial open season.
Sharks are the topic of another series of public workshops. Information on those and on accommodations for people who cannot physically attend follows the list of spotted seatrout meetings.
The FWC invites interested people to attend the spotted seatrout workshops, which are from 6 to 8 p.m. as follows:
Monday, June 20
- Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
- 620 S. Meridian St., Farris Bryant Bldg.
- 2nd Floor Conference Room
- Tallahassee, FL 32399
Tuesday, June 21
- University of Florida, Bay County Extension Center
- 2728E 14th Street
- Panama City, FL 32401
Wednesday, June 22
- Jacksonville Public Library Southeast Branch
- 10599 Deerwood Park Blvd.
- Jacksonville, FL 32256
Tuesday, June 28
- Risk Management Dept.
- 3311 Tamiami Trail E.
- Naples, FL 34112
Wednesday, June 29
- Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, Karen A. Steidinger Auditorium
- 100 Eighth Ave. SE
- St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Thursday, June 30
- City Hall Council Chambers
- 123 N.W. Hwy 19
- Crystal River, FL 34428
Wednesday, July 6
- Brevard Agricultural Center
- 3695 Lake Drive
- Cocoa, FL 32926
The FWC is also holding public workshops to solicit comment on possible changes to the rules regulating sharks in Florida waters. Specifically, the FWC will gather public comments on adding hammerhead and tiger sharks to the list of prohibited species. The Commission also will be gathering comments on requiring circle hooks and regulations that would limit the practice of chumming when fishing for sharks from shore.
The FWC invites interested people to attend these workshops, which are from 6 to 8 p.m. as follows:
Monday, June 20
- Brevard Agricultural Center
- 3695 Lake Drive
- Cocoa, FL 32926
Tuesday, June 21
- IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum
- 300 Gulf Stream Way
- Dania Beach, FL 33004
Wednesday, June 22
- Harvey Government Center
- 1200 Truman Avenue
- Key West, FL 33040
Thursday, June 23
- Terrace Building Room 1001, 10th Floor
- 101 S. Washington Blvd.
- Sarasota, FL 34236
Tuesday, June 28
- Destin Community Center
- 101 Stahlman Ave.
- Destin, FL 32541
Thursday, June 30
- St. Johns County Auditorium
- 4020 Lewis Speedway
- St. Augustine, FL 32095
The FWC also will hold call-in phone workshops for those not able to attend the in-person seatrout or shark workshops. The call-in workshop for sharks will be Thursday, July 7, from 6 to 8 p.m. EDT (5-7 p.m. CDT). The call-in workshop on spotted seatrout will be Tuesday, July 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. EDT (5-7 p.m. CDT). Please contact the FWC at 850-487-0554 to register for either one of the call-in workshops.
Anyone requiring special accommodations to participate in the workshops should advise the FWC at least five days prior to the workshop by calling 850-488-6411. If you are hearing- or speech-impaired, please contact the FWC using the Florida Relay Service at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or 800-955-8770 (voice).
For more information on the upcoming workshops and the FWC’s management of spotted seatrout and sharks, go to MyFWC.com/Rules and select “Fishing – Saltwater Regulations.”
Contact:
Aaron Podey, 850-487-0554
