FWC New Rules for Gulf Striped Bass Harvest
Eugene L. 12.07.22
New regulations will protect Broodfish
The Commissioners with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved new rules to help with conservation efforts of the Gulf striped bass (Morone saxatilis) population in the lower Ochlockonee River in Wakulla County earlier this month at their December Commission (November 30th -December 1st) meeting. For most of the nation, you usually think of the Northeast or big reservoirs with Striped Bass but there is a limited population of them in the Gulf of Mexico actually.
Through their research, the FWC commission found that there was a high rate of recreational harvest of the broodfish (breeding size) Gulf striped bass. Seeing that data the staff put forward a new rule proposal to change the harvest length limit on the gulf striped bass. The current daily harvest limit of three fish per day was still left in place for striped bass. Instead, the length limit was changed, where there is no minimum length limit for gulf striped bass anymore. But you can only keep one fish over 24 inches a day in your daily limit of three fish. This was done to limit how many large brood fish are taken out of the water. Due to the limited size of the population of gulf striped bass, they are very dependent on stock enhancement using hatchery production stockings and protection of the brood stock of larger-sized striped bass.
“This rule change is a positive step for Gulf striped bass, an important sport fish in Florida,” said FWC Commissioner Gary Lester. “We appreciate staff working with stakeholders on these ongoing conservation efforts for the future of this fishery.”
Staff held public meetings with local anglers to discuss research and management options for this fishery at Lake Talquin in May 2022 and an additional meeting in November to discuss the rule language. Anglers were supportive of using regulation changes as a management tool. Further stakeholder engagement will occur on this rule.
