Traditionally, the Commission discusses marine fisheries issues on the second day, but this time it will take up draft rules regarding red drum (redfish) and Bonefish on the first day, to allow the appropriate number of days to advertise any proposed marine fisheries rules that would be decided on at the next meeting.
On Wednesday, Feb. 23, Commissioners will consider a proposed draft rule that would establish three regional management areas for red drum, raise the daily recreational bag limit for red drum from one fish to two in Northeast and Northwest Florida, create a statewide eight-fish vessel limit for red drum and modify the red drum off-the-water possession limit.
They will also consider a proposed draft rule that would make bonefish a catch-and-release only fishery, allow the temporary possession of bonefish for photograph and record purposes, and create a tournament exemption permit to allow temporary possession of bonefish for tournament weigh-ins.
In other marine fisheries action, the Commission will review a report on a Goliath grouper stock assessment and implications for future Goliath grouper management, and consider various federal fisheries management issues.
Also on Feb. 23, Commissioners will consider a staff recommendation to remove the Flagler County Manatee Zones draft rule proposal from the agenda to allow additional time to develop the proposal.
Another waterway issue – an anchoring and mooring pilot program – is on the agenda Feb. 23. The Commission will hear a staff report and recommendations for two locations on the west coast and one within Monroe County for the pilot program. Under Florida Statutes, the Commission must select five sites by July 1. The cities of Sarasota and St. Petersburg are likely to be accepted into phase one of the pilot program as the west coast participants. The remaining two selections must be from the east coast.
A mooring field is a controlled area where boaters tie their vessels to a floating buoy, which is secured to the bottom of the waterway. Florida Statutes require the FWC, in consultation with the Department of Environmental Protection, to establish a pilot program regulating anchoring and mooring outside of marked public mooring fields to protect public property and safety and the marine environment against improperly stored, abandoned or derelict vessels.
