Division of Marine Fisheries Management

Mark Robson, Director
620 South Meridian Street
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600
850-487-0554

Mission: To sustain the long-term health and abundance of Florida's marine fisheries.

Benefits

• Brings together fisheries interest groups, research institutions, governmental agencies and the public to consider ways to manage Florida's marine fisheries effectively.
• Advises the Commission regarding the scientific data from fisheries stock assessments to make wise management decisions.
• Maintains maximum feasible fisheries populations while allowing reasonable levels of annual harvest to provide optimum fishing benefits to the people.
• Develops fisheries management plans to curb over-fishing of important commercial and recreational marine species.
• Provides grants for artificial reef construction, reef-related monitoring and research.
• Provides the public with useful information regarding conservation and management of Florida's valuable marine fisheries.

The Division of Marine Fisheries Management (MFM) works with many agencies and groups to accomplish its mission. Fishery management requires coordination with federal agencies and other states, including the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council, the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council, the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission and the Gulf States Marine Fisheries Commission.

Other activities include issuance of special activity licenses, coordination of programs to help commercial fishermen retrieve traps and recover after a disaster, and review and comment on proposed development projects that may affect marine resources. This division also conducts hearings and wholesale-dealer audits.

Division of Marine Fisheries Management sections  

Marine Fisheries Management

This section compiles fishery data, coordinates with other governmental agencies and research institutions, and solicits information from the public regarding fishery management strategies and regulations.  Section staff uses this information to develop management and rule-making recommendations for Commission consideration.

Marine Fisheries Services

This section works as a liaison between the marine fishing community and the FWC and promotes responsible recreational and commercial fishing activities. Marine Fisheries Services also works to resolve issues related to proposed regulations, commercial license applications and wholesale-dealer compliance; coordinates with the industry to document fisheries disasters, seek fisheries disaster-relief financial assistance and distribute funding; operates a trap-retrieval program; and comments on environmental projects.

MFM budget summary

Glossary of funding sources