Tag Archives: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Biscayne National Park’s General Management Plan – No-fishing zone no solution to coral loss
Were Charles Dickens alive today, it’s possible that the drama surrounding the inclusion of a no-fishing zone in Biscayne National Park’s General Management Plan (GMP) could be mistaken as part of the inspiration for his great story A Tale of Two Cities. Dickens’ famous opening sentence from that novel is: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.” But the way that the (NPS) and its activist allies talk about the no-fishing zone seems to reflect part of the rest of that opening line: “It was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness.” Read the rest here 11:02
FWC to finalize barracuda rules
State fishery managers will give final approval this week to fishing regulations that will finally set commercial bag limits on barracuda. The vote comes after Florida Keys fishing guides, captains and recreational anglers have been calling for years for commercial limits on what they call one of the most important flats fish. Currently there is no limit on the harvest of barracuda. There is a two-fish-per-day recreational bag limit. Read the rest here 10:16
Field Hearing Highlights Draconian Rejection of Science, Local Stakeholder Input with National Park Service’s Plan for Biscayne Bay
Today, the House Committee on Natural Resources and the House Small Business Committee held a joint field hearing in Homestead, Florida, on the National Park Service’s (NPS) General Management Plan (GMP) for Biscayne National Park released in June 2015. The GMP, which includes a Marine Reserve Zone (MRZ) that would be closed to all commercial and recreational fishing, conflicts with the position of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and the recommendations of the park’s own stakeholder working group. Read the rest here 16:06
Florida FWC requests public feedback at workshops around the state
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is hosting several workshops across the state, including the two in the Florida Keys, to gather input and develop a better understanding of the public’s views on marine fisheries issues. Groups that might be interested in participating include commercial and recreational fishers, wholesale dealers, those in the tourism industry, fishing guides and divers, FWC spokeswoman Bekah Nelson said. Read the rest here 08:00
FWC approves lobster incentive to harvest lionfish
Lionfish are pretty to look at but that’s about it says commercial fisherman Rachel Bowman. “The lionfish are gorgeous but extremely detrimental to our environment not picky eaters. A lionfish can consume anything 2 inches smaller than itself,” says Bowman. And that healthy appetite, says Bowman, may one day pose a threat to commercial fishing. She says, “Only a matter of time before snapper, grouper and lobster show a decline because of lionfish.” The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says man is the lionfish’s best predator. Read the rest here 18:39
FWC likely to put limits on harvest of barricuda
Some Florida Keys fishing guides and dive operators contend increased harvest pressure on the toothy predators have noticeably reduced barracuda numbers. “Barracuda are being caught big-time, and that’s a fact,” longtime Upper Keys dive operator Spencer Slate said Friday. “They’re definitely being overfished.” The Lower Keys Guides Association supports most of the proposed rules, but wants “the commercial daily limit be 20 fish per day per vessel; not 20 per person.” Read the rest here 11:13
A Week in the Life – Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Law Enforcement Weekly Report
This report represents some events the FWC handled over the past week; however, it does not include all actions taken by the Division of Law Enforcement. The FWC Offshore Patrol Vessel Vigilance made its maiden voyage out of Destin. On its first patrol, officers attempted to stop a vessel in federal waters about 10.5 miles south of the Destin Pass. When they approached, the officers noticed the suspect vessel turn and began throwing red snapper from the boat. Lots more. Read the rest here 09:19
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission eases lobster dive regulations
Things are about to get easier for commercial lobster divers looking to expand or sell their business. New Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission rules set to go into effect July 1 will allow commercial lobster divers to sell their licenses to people other than immediate family members, which is currently prohibited. Bill Kelly, executive director of the Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen’s Association, said the rule changes are a welcome way to promote fairness across the fishery. Read the rest here 11:50
Florida Key’s Illegal fish case continued
A Key West charter boat captain’s change of plea will be heard on April 21 in Plantation Key after a scheduling conflict continued the matter last week. Wickers and four other men were charged in the undercover Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission investigation into the illegal sale of finfish and lobster by charter and commercial fishermen. Read the rest here 11:18
Gulf reef fish anglers – You wanted it! You got it! Welcome To The Machine.
Attention Gulf reef fish anglers (a little tribute tune!) 
: You’ve asked for better data and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has listened and taken action. Now the FWC needs your help. Signing up to participate in the Gulf Reef Fish Survey becomes mandatory April 1, so sign up today. The easy, no-cost process will help the FWC paint a clearer picture of how many people are targeting Gulf reef fish, like red snapper and gag grouper, and what anglers are seeing on the water. Read the rest here 10:19
Key West: Lobster traps limits not well received
The idea of reducing the number of spiny lobster traps as a way to ease fishing pressure on the Florida Keys’ most lucrative commercial fishery did not go over well at a meeting of state federal fishery managers Monday in Key West. The group discussed three possible actions: closing the season early; embarking on a more aggressive trap reduction program; and exempting the spiny lobster fishery from annual quotas. The proposal that received the most vocal opposition was more aggressively reducing the number of traps. Read the rest here 08:09
Loophole allows illegal fishing harvests
A rowboat, kayak or inflatable raft should not classify as a licensed commercial fishing boat, say state fishery regulators. Current state laws on qualifying for certain commercial fishing licenses include a “loophole” that needs to be closed, according to a commercial fishing group and staff with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. “Right now it’s far too easy to get a [restricted-species endorsement] falsely,” said Bill Kelly, executive director of the Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen’s Association. Read the rest here 17:19
Cortez fisherman cast out ideas to solve mullet problem – “They heard our side.”
Thirty local fisherman met Sunday with three Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission members to claim out-of-town anglers are discarding white roe mullet, which eventually wash up dead on Manatee County beaches. The disgruntled fishermen did not come away with a solution or game plan. They did air their gripes during a two-hour session at the Fisherman’s Hall in Cortez and got feedback from state officials. Read the rest here 11:58
FWC announces new law enforcement director
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced a new law enforcement director, Col. Curtis Brown. Brown, known among colleagues at the FWC and partner agencies for his dedication to conservation, will oversee more than 1,000 employees in the FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement.“We are excited about Col. Brown’s passion and positive attitude,” Read the rest here 16:36
Off the Hook: Florida fisherman lands in U.S. Supreme Court case weighing government overreach
John Yates doesn’t make his living as a commercial fisherman anymore. The federal conviction he is fighting all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court took care of that. Instead, he scraped together everything he had, opened a boutique furniture store and called it Off the Hook. Read the rest here 19:32
Fisherman caught with a pile untagged spiny lobster traps – thrown into the slammer!
A Big Pine Key fisherman accused of lobster fishing with more than 100 untagged traps was arrested Saturday by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. David Lee Boggs, 50, was charged with misdemeanor fishing without proper tags. Read the rest here 11:25
These guys are pissed! Apalachicola Bay Oystermen rage at possible bay closure
Frustrated over talk Apalachicola Bay might be shut down to oyster harvesting this winter, Franklin County seafood workers angrily confronted the president of their workers association at a meeting Friday evening. Barraged with catcalls and accusations from the standing-room-only audience, Shannon Hartsfield cut short his presentation regarding details of the upcoming $4.5 million shelling program, funded through a federal fishery disaster grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Read the rest here 12:01
Goliath grouper grows in anglers’ wrath
Goliath grouper, lionfish eggs, shark chum and gun silencers are among the topics top state wildlife regulators will ponder next week. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission meets Sept. 10-11 in Kissimmee.The Goliaths are sucking up spiny lobsters, reef fish and other marine life, they say, tipping the food web’s balance. Read the rest here Watch video here 11:02
Florida: Just when you thought it was safe,,, Massive, 18-inch crustacean was pulled from the water
The scaly creature featuring multiple legs and claws was described as ‘striking its own tail’ when reeled in off a Fort Pierce dock. The unfazed fisherman ‘grabbed it by its back like a lobster,’ said the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. Read the rest here 09:45
Key West – FWC Arrests Man for Illegal Commercial Lobster Fishing
On Aug. 2, officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission arrested Pablo Enrique Anaya-Rodriquez, 49, of Key West, for actively fishing commercial lobster traps without having the required crawfish license tags attached to his traps. <Read more here> 08:38
FWC captain honored by the Southeastern Fisheries Association
At its meeting in June, the Southeastern Fisheries Association presented Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Capt. Rob Beaton with the “Aylesworth Outstanding Government Employee Award.” Beaton was selected for his exemplary conduct, honesty and effort in seeking fairness for all when it comes to commercial fishing issues.Read more here 10:09
New rules would ban commercial fishing, lobster mini season from Biscayne National Park
“It’s always so easy to take a swipe at fishermen whether they’re commercial or recreational,” said Bill Kelly, executive director of the Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen’s Association. “It’s going to have a severe socio-economic impact. We’re talking generations of fishermen — a cultural heritage.” Read more here 08:55
Sea cucumber management changes take effect June 11
A commercial daily trip and vessel limit of 200 sea cucumbers will go into effect June 11 in state and federal waters off Florida. Read more here 11:58
National Park Service Biscayne Park Fishery Management Plan ruffles fishermen
The head of the Florida Keys Commercial Fishermen’s Association says he’ll take the fight to Congress if need be to fend off the implementation of a series of fishing restrictions proposed this week by Biscayne National Park officials. Read more here 08:12
Cortez Fishing for Freedom members attend protest, appellate hearing
Coarsey said 50-60 people attended the demonstration outside of the FWC building, most wearing their FFF T-shirts. The shirts, on the back, state, “Biology versus Politics.” Following the protest, FFF members filled the courtroom for the hearing. “We represented Manatee County. Is it important we went up there? Yes,” said Coarsey. “They’re taking out a species of fisherman.” Read more here 08:23
Governor Rick Scott announced the bay scallop season will open three days early this year.
Opening the season early and on a weekend will create additional recreational opportunities for Florida residents and visitors while recognizing the importance of economic benefits to coastal communities where this activity occurs. Read more here 17:18
Former Colleagues Fight Over Turtle Data
NORTH PALM BEACH (CN) – A leading marine research center filed for an injunction against its former head scientist, claiming he stole years of research data and used it to carry out unauthorized studies. Read more here 11:16
Pompano Beach seafood purveyor conspired to sell live spiny lobster caught in the Florida Keys to China
The government alleges in the 6-page document that Eric Berman conspired with at least one other person “known to the U.S. Attorney’s Office” to package and ship live lobster harvested in Monroe County to Hong Kong, China, via Miami International Airport. Read more here 16:39
Record Prices For Stone Crab Claws Amid Scarcity
Florida Keys-based 
tells The Key West Citizen that fish houses paid $25 to $30 a pound for jumbo-sized claws, $18 to $21 a pound for large claws and $8 to $11 a pound for medium claws. Read more here 10:40
