News Releases

FWC seeks input on possible management changes to spotted seatrout, sharks

News Release

Monday, June 13, 2011

Media contact: Aaron Podey, 850-487-0554

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 14^th 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."