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August 15, 2025
By Florida Sportsman
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission made several decisions in its August meeting in Havana, Fla., other than approving highly regulated black bear hunting in the state. Here’s a look (compiled from FWC news releases):
Click here to read the full agenda from the commission’s Aug. 13-14 meeting .
More Youth Turkey Opportunities The FWC approved rule amendments to expand public youth turkey hunting opportunities from two consecutive days (Saturday and Sunday) to four (Friday through Monday) on 104 wildlife management areas. This change was previously implemented on lands outside of the WMA system for the 2026 youth turkey season. Access will be limited to only youth hunters and supervising adults on 21 WMAs during their youth turkey hunting days. In June, the FWC surveyed the public about these changes and received over 2,000 responses, with over 80% in support of both proposals. These changes provide additional opportunities for youth with more hunting days. However, they will not increase the total number of youth quota permits issued nor affect WMAs that do not currently have youth turkey hunts. Click for more information about youth turkey hunting days .
Lane Snapper Proposed Changes Proposed changes were approved for lane snapper in Florida’s Gulf state waters to be more consistent with current and pending federal regulations. The intention is to reduce the risk of overfishing, mitigate the likelihood of early closures, and increase consistency between Gulf state and federal waters The proposed modifications of lane snapper in Gulf state waters include:
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Increasing the commercial and recreational minimum size limit from 8 inches to 10 inches total length. Establishing a 20-fish-per-person recreational bag limit. To provide written comment on these proposed changes, click here .
Dead Shrimp Allowance The Commission approved changes to increase the dead shrimp allowance for commercial live bait shrimp harvesters in Nassau and Duval counties from 1 gallon to 5 gallons. This regulation change was requested by stakeholders and will allow commercial shrimpers to use dead shrimp rather than discarding. This will also make the dead shrimp allowance for commercial live bait shrimp harvesters consistent statewide. For more info, visit MyFWC.com/fishing and click “Saltwater Commercial Regulations” or “Saltwater Recreational Regulations.”
Apalachicola Bay Oysters The Commission proposed a new management framework for commercial and recreational oyster harvest in Apalachicola Bay and updates for rules that will apply statewide. The proposed changes for the limited opening of Apalachicola Bay recreational and commercial harvest include:
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Establishing a process to set annual harvest levels for specific reefs in the bay that meet a minimum threshold of oyster abundance. Establishing a harvest season with the initial season taking place Jan. 1, 2026 – Feb. 28, 2026, and then continuing with a normal fall season start to be October – February moving forward. Requiring a Commercial Apalachicola Bay (AB) Endorsement to commercially harvest oysters from the bay. All qualified applicants will have an opportunity to participate in the 2026 season, and the number of participants in the first year will set the cap for subsequent seasons. Establishing an Apalachicola Bay Recreational Opportunity (ABRO) Permit for recreational harvesters who will be selected through a lottery process. Establishing reporting requirements for both recreational and commercial harvesters. The proposed changes for statewide oyster harvest include:
Updating the culling requirements. The FWC will gather public feedback for a final public hearing in November. Submit comments to the FWC Saltwater Public Comments page or email Marine@MyFWC.com .
Bonefish Seasonal Closure The FWC Commission approved establishing a Bonefish Seasonal Closed Area in Biscayne National Park to help protect bonefish at a recently identified pre-spawning aggregation site. The changes prohibit all fishing within a 1.74-square-mile area east of Elliott Key in BNP from March 1 through May 31 each year. During the closed season, possession of fish and fishing gear in this area would be prohibited unless properly stowed. These changes include a 5-year sunset provision, which will allow time to monitor the effect of the regulations and inform whether the Commission should take action to extend the regulations beyond the sunset date.
This important aggregation is the only scientifically documented one of its kind in Florida and is a positive indicator that the bonefish population in Florida is recovering. This proactive protection supports ongoing conservation efforts by the FWC, nonprofit organizations, local guides and anglers for this highly prized fish species.
