The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking input from saltwater anglers concerning possible rule changes for red drum (redfish) around the state. The agency is considering breaking down the state into regions for redfish much like the existing zones for spotted sea trout.
FWC officials are reviewing a proposal to create three management areas and to raise the bag limit to two fish per angler per day in the two northern areas. The agency is also considering a vessel limit for the species.
Anglers are asked to participate in a survey at the FWC’s website. I’ve taken the survey. It is not very long and only takes about five minutes to complete. Here is a link to survey page.
http://www.surveyroom.com/surveymachine/TakeSurvey.aspx?SurveyID=88MK695
Along with the survey the FWC has been holding a series of regional meetings seeking input from resident anglers. There are two meeting scheduled for west central area of the state. One is in St. Petersburg and the other is in Crystal River. Here are the dates and times of the two meetings.
December 13, 2010
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (EST)
Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
Karen A. Steidinger Auditorium
100 Eighth Ave. SE
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
December 14, 2010
6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (EST)
City Hall Council Chambers
123 N.W. Hwy 19
Crystal River, FL 34428
There is also a video workshop scheduled for December 15 from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Instructions on how to attend or access the video workshop can be found at this link.
http://www.myfwc.com/RULESANDREGS/MarineFisheries_Workshops.htm
This is an opportunity for Florida resident anglers to voice their opinion on the state of our red drum fishery. It will also be an opportunity to learn more about this fish and the management techniques employed to sustain its fishery.
No comments:
Post a Comment