Among spotted seatrout management changes proposed by FWC is removal of provision for keeping a "trophy" fish over 19 inch slot limit in the Indian River Lagoon region, where this fish was caught. (Florida Sportsman photo)
January 28, 2026
By Florida Sportsman Staff
Conservation News for the Week of Jan. 30-Feb. 7, 2026
Florida State Waters FWC Set To Meet in Tallahassee, Feb. 4-5 The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will meet in person Feb. 4-5 at the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, 505 W. Pensacola St., Tallahassee, FL 32301. The meeting begins at 8:30 a.m. EST each day and is open to the public. For more information about the Donald L. Tucker Civic Center policies, visit TuckerCivicCenter.com/plan-your-visit and select "Fan Guide A-Z."
Among topics to be covered:
Feb. 4: Updates to trapping regulations; new management for spotted seatrout (evaluating results of 2025 Seatrout Symposium); Gulf striped bass update
Advertisement
Feb. 5: New hunting regulations; state-designated threatened status for Wilson’s plover, blackbanded sunfish, Florida reef gecko; modifications to manatee zones in Indian River County.
Click here for the full agenda.
NOTE: FWC indicates staff will be monitoring reports of fish kills during the upcoming severe cold front expected Jan. 31-Feb. 2. Anglers are encouraged to report any abnormal fish behavior, fish disease, or fish kills they may see to the Fish Kill hotline at MyFWC.com/ReportFishKill or by calling 800-636-0511.
Advertisement
TROUT UPDATE, Feb. 4: Here is what the FWC decided in approving it's plan for Spotted Seatrout management: At its February meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved new management regions and regulations for spotted seatrout as a part of FWC’s holistic regional management approach. These new regulations will go into effect on April 1, 2026.
The rule changes:
Establish nine management regions for spotted seatrout. Establish regional regulations for recreational and commercial bag limits, slot limits and closed seasons. These regions and regulations are part of the FWC’s holistic management approach for Florida's most popular inshore fisheries. This approach takes a more holistic view of the fishery by evaluating multiple metrics, including fishing, stakeholder experiences and environmental factors, at a smaller regional scale. It improves our understanding of regional differences in environmental conditions and stakeholder experiences and provides greater flexibility to address localized concerns. Panhandle
Recreational
Commercial
Big Bend
Recreational
Commercial
Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Southwest, Southeast
Recreational
Commercial
Indian River Lagoon
Recreational
Commercial
Northeast
Recreational
Commercial
This innovative regional management strategy has been implemented for some of Florida’s most popular inshore species, including redfish and snook, and now spotted seatrout. This management approach has been met with strong support from stakeholders across the state.
UCF Oyster Ring-Making Events [From CCA Florida]
On Monday, January 19, UCF students and CCA Florida volunteers spent the morning building oyster rings to support oyster reef habitat restoration in the Mosquito Lagoon. These projects play a critical role in improving water quality and providing essential habitat for marine life.
Interested in volunteering at an upcoming oyster ring build or have questions? Contact Greg Harrison at 407-276-6141.
Upcoming Volunteer Dates:
• Sunday, February 1
• Sunday, February 22
• Sunday, March 8
• Sunday, March 22
• Sunday, April 12
• Sunday, April 26
Volunteer helps mold an "oyster ring" to be placed in Mosquito Lagoon as holdfast for wild oyster recruitment. (CCA Florida photo) Scallopalooza Coming to Sarasota March 7 [Sarasota Bay Watch]
Sarasota’s favorite party just might be its most effective restoration tool. The science-guided nonprofit Sarasota Bay Watch invites residents to “take action today to preserve our bays” by attending its 15th annual fundraising event, Scallopalooza.
The event takes place Saturday, March 7, 2026, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. at the historic Sarasota Municipal Auditorium at Bay Park Conservancy, 801 N. Tamiami Trail. The evening features an open bar, chef-driven food stations, living dioramas, entertainment and a lively silent auction.
“Scallopalooza turns good times into good outcomes,” Executive Director Ronda Ryan said. “Every ticket and sponsorship becomes clearer water, healthier habitats, and a legacy you can feel every time you head out on the bay.”
Proceeds power Sarasota Bay Watch’s conservation programs, including:
• Native clam restoration that filters excess nutrients that fuel red tides.
• Vegetative restoration enriching habitat through native plantings.
• Marine debris removal pulls tons of trash from local waters, making them
Safer.
• Youth leadership providing career guidance, hands-on activities, and Teen Educators
opportunities.
SBW Youth Leadership Program will host demonstrations in clam restoration, habitat enrichment, and marine debris efforts so attendees can see the science in action. Thanks to title sponsor Coastal Conservation Association, this year’s event is expected to expand restoration and monitoring across the region.
Seats and sponsorships are limited and filling fast. Take action today to preserve our bays. Tickets and sponsorship opportunities are available at SarasotaBayWatch.org.
Sarasota Bay Watch to put the "fun" in fundraising at Scallopalooza event, March 7, at Sarasota Municipal Auditorium. Gulf Council Recommends Catch Limit Increases for Red Grouper, Removal of 20-Fathom Seasonal Grouper Closure [Gulf Council release]
The Gulf Council took final action on Reef Fish Amendment 62 which considers increasing red grouper catch limits and eliminating the recreational shallow-water grouper closed season. For red grouper, the Council decided to phase in total annual catch limit increases over a three-year period, establish 68.2% commercial and 31.8% recreational sector allocations, and maintain the current 5% commercial and 9% recreational buffers between their respective annual catch limits and annual catch targets. The Council also decided to eliminate the February 1 – March 31 recreational shallow-water grouper closure beyond 20-fathoms.
The most recent red grouper stock assessment (SEDAR 88) indicated that red grouper is not overfished or experiencing overfishing, and the resulting catch advice is a substantial increase from the current catch limits. The assessment also incorporated recreational landings using Florida’s State Reef Fish Survey data and an updated Maximum Sustainable Yield proxy that will leave more fish in the water to spawn to increase the resiliency of the stock. Changes to red grouper management are expected to increase recreational fishing opportunities and provide economic benefits to the commercial sector.
Eliminating the February-March recreational closed season (currently scheduled to begin Feb. 1, 2026) for shallow-water grouper in federal waters seaward of 20-fathoms should alleviate burdens to recreational fishing, especially since many of the species protected by the closure are either no longer in need of additional protections (red grouper) or are unaffected by the closure, given other current and planned regulations.
This amendment will be transmitted to the Secretary of Commerce for consideration and implementation as soon as practicable.
