Conservation News

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Snook Season Reopening on Atlantic Coast Feb. 1

The recreational harvest season for snook reopens on Feb. 1 in Florida’s Atlantic coastal and inland waters, including Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River. The season is open through May 31.

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FWC Kicks Off 2013 Python Challenge

Nearly 800 people are registered and ready to compete to see who can bring in the longest and the most Burmese pythons from designated public lands in south Florida, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced Saturday at the 2013 Python Challenge™ Kickoff in Davie.

Florida Sportsman member Canadian Julian Emond caught and released this grouper near Flamingo.

Shallow Water Grouper Spawning Season Closure Reminder

A seasonal prohibition on the harvest of shallow water snapper-grouper species in federal waters of the South Atlantic is effective 12:01 a.m. January 1, 2013, through April 30, 2013, and applies to recreational and commercial harvest of shallow water grouper species.

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Snook Season Closes December 15 in Atlantic Waters

The recreational harvest of snook will close in all Atlantic waters, including the inland waters of Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River, beginning Dec. 15, with the last day of harvest being Dec. 14. The season will reopen in the Atlantic’s state and federal waters Feb. 1, 2013.

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FWC Discusses 2013 Gulf Gag Grouper Season Draft Rule

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) unanimously decided on a draft 2013 Gulf of Mexico gag grouper recreational season Wednesday, Dec. 5, at its Commission meeting in Apalachicola.

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Get Your Voice Heard: FWC Webinars Planned for Early December

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is hosting two webinars in December to gather public testimony and input on the potential creation of saltwater game fish and sport fish designations.

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Florida, We Have a Lionfish Problem

Let’s talk straight. Lionfish are a challenge. Native to the Indian Ocean and South Pacific, these beautiful yet venomous creatures are spreading through our waters like a bad cold. Within their native range, lionfish fit nicely into the natural food web and their populations remain in check.

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Youths Can Join the FWC Conservation Team

Even though young people are allowed to hunt and fish in Florida without having to buy a license until they turn 16 years old, a change in the license system now makes it possible for youngsters to voluntarily purchase their licenses early and start contributing today toward conservation.

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Gulf gag grouper, Atlantic vermilion snapper season closures start Nov. 1

The recreational harvest season for gag grouper in most Gulf of Mexico waters and vermilion snapper in the Atlantic Ocean will close on Nov. 1. These closures are intended to reduce overfishing and increase the population of gag grouper and vermilion snapper.

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St. Johns Riverkeeper Hosts Clean Water Act “Birthday Party”

St. John’s Riverkeeping is hosting a birthday celebration for The Clean Water Act on October 24, 2012 at Sadler Point Marina in Jacksonville, FL.

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Strong 2012 Nesting Season for Florida Loggerheads

Loggerhead sea turtle nesting was near a 24-year high along Florida beaches this year, according to data compiled by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) researchers. The loggerhead is listed federally as a threatened species.

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Winner Announced for 2012 IGFA Great Marlin Race

“These fish are covering incredible distances,” observed IGMR co-chair and Stanford University marine biologist Dr. Randy Kochevar. “The data we are collecting through the IGFA Great Marlin Race are giving us a new level of insight…

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CCA Urges Judge to Uphold Mesh Size Limitations on Gill Nets

Commercial netting interests are once again trying to manipulate the State into allowing larger mesh sizes in fishing nets and improperly using them as “gill nets,” the Coastal Conservation Association of Florida said today.

Forum Member Split Shot, of Panama City, contributed this photo recently to the Panhandle Forum.

Public Input Requested at Oct. 11 Gulf of Mexico Gag Grouper Workshop

The workshop focus will be determining the public’s preferred dates for the 2013 Gulf gag grouper recreational fishing season. Potential changes to the Gulf of Mexico gag grouper bag limit will also be discussed…

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Presidential Candidates on Fishing

We hope the responses provide you some insight about the candidates’ views on issues that impact recreational fishing and give you a basis to judge which candidate best serves the interests of you, the angler …

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Scallop Season Closes Sept. 25

The 2012 recreational season for bay scallops, which was extended two weeks earlier this year, will close Tuesday, Sept. 25. The final day of harvesting is Sept. 24.

A dolphin released off Marathon, Florida, in May 2011 was recovered in June 2012 as it was making its second pass along the U.S. Atlantic Coast.

Tagging Reveals Extensive Movement by Dolphin

Ideal tag recovery involves direct and timely communication with the anglers or boat captains tagging and recovering the fish. Such is the case with the latest series of reported tag recoveries in 2012.

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September Red Snapper Season Scheduled in Atlantic Waters

The red snapper recreational fishing season will open for two consecutive weekends made up of Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays this September.

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Funds Misused on Commercial Interests

The Maryland DNR misappropriated more than $3 million in Wallop-Breaux funds to finance programs for the state’s commercial striper fishery, says Stripers Forever.

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East Coast Blue Crab Trap Closures In Effect

Recreational and commercial blue crab traps must be removed immediately from the waters in certain areas of Florida’s east coast…»