A Letter to Gov. Rick Scott; FWC & Sea Trout Delayed Action Needed!

A Letter to the Governor of Florida; Rick Scott

From the Publisher: Fisheries are an integral part of our nation's food security -- or should be. It is time we began treating them as such -- albeit a food source directly tied to the protection of aquatic ecosystems and science-based harvest levels -- and not just the plaything of a science agency.

THE LETTER TO THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF FLORIDA: RICK SCOTT

Increasing Trout Limits but No More Hammers/Tigers Workshop

More Trout Less Sharks Workshop

SPOTTED SEA TROUT

Mel Larsen's Tiger Shark; Venice Pier

Venice Pier Hammerhead

The Florida Wildlife Commission is reviewing possible new regulations on Spotted Sea Trout and Sharks. They will be seeking public input at the following meetings on the Trout issue: 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the Jacksonville Public Library Southeast Branch, 10599 Deerwood Park Blvd., Jacksonville, and July 6 at the Brevard Agricultural Center, 3695 Lake Drive, Cocoa, Fl. The FWC also is considering loosening some recreational bag limits for spotted sea trout and shortening the closed season. The closest trout workshop to the Keys takes place June 28 in Naples. A call-in workshop will be held July 12.
Anglers may be asked to protect two of Florida's biggest marine predators, the tiger shark and great hammerhead shark.
With concern about possible declining numbers of the two shark species prompted the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to schedule a 6 p.m. June 22, Wednesday workshop and comment session at the Harvey Government Center at 1200 Truman Ave. in Key West. Other possible rules being considered include requiring use of circle hooks for recreational shark fishing, and limits on shore fishermen using chum to attract sharks.
Public meetings to discuss possible changes to shark fishing rules will be from 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the Brevard Agricultural Center and June 30 at the St. Johns County Auditorium, 4020 Lewis Speedway, St. Augustine.
The FWC will have call-in phone workshops for those unable to attend the public meetings. The workshop for sharks will be from 6 to 8 p.m. July 7. The workshop on spotted sea trout will be from 6 to 8 p.m. July 12. Contact the FWC at 850-487-0554 to register for either one of the call-in workshops.