FWC makes Snook, Redfish and Seatrout catch-and-release only in areas affected by red tide

Dave LeGear

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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has temporarily made snook and redfish catch-and-release only from the northernmost point of Anna Maria Island in Manatee County to Gordon Pass in Collier County. This was done through an Executive Order in response to the naturally-occurring red tide bloom in southwest Florida and is in effect until the next FWC Commission meeting, which starts Sept. 26.

“I support Executive Director Eric Sutton’s decision to implement the Executive Order as we continue to manage this world-class fishery for future generations,” said FWC Chairman Bo Rivard. “We will continue working with our partners and will evaluate next steps at our Commission meeting the end of September.”

Sutton has spent significant time in the areas most impacted by naturally-occurring red tide. He and staff will continue to work with local communities and partners as the FWC manages this issue to ensure recovery of the fisheries.

“We’ve seen the devastation to the redfish and snook populations in southwest Florida, and we support the catch-and-release initiative taken by FWC,” said Brian Gorski, Executive Director of Coastal Conservation Association Florida. “In working with the FWC on this initiative, we’ve heard support from members and guides throughout the state who also understand the need for such a change, to ensure that generations to come can enjoy the thrill of catching one of these iconic species.”

The FWC thanks Gov. Rick Scott for his continual leadership and proactive response during this time. FWC staff will continue working with partners moving forward, including local governments and stakeholders.

Regulations outside of those counties remain unchanged, including the Sept. 1 snook season opening that occurs in other Gulf and Atlantic state waters.

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Personally,
I think this is great step! And would like to see it cover a much larger area or just make it Statewide, since we have many areas that are battling with water quality issues...
 
And now expanded as the Red Tide has done the same... :(


Sept. 26, 2018

Media statement: FWC Commission expands fishery management measures in response to red tide

At its September meeting in Tallahassee, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) directed staff to expand a recent catch-and-release only measure for snook and redfish to include Tampa Bay (including all of Manatee and Hillsborough counties) as well as all of Pinellas and Pasco counties starting Friday, Sept. 28.

The FWC also directed staff to extend these measures through May 10, 2019, in these and other areas previously made catch-and-release for redfish and snook.
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Very happy to report that this has been extended until 2020! More information on this can be found on this link from the FWC Site:


Now if we can just get the fresh water influx from Like O stopped, we will finally see some recovery as well as long term rebound :D
 
Just a quick reminder on this topic from the FWC for much of SWFL...

Changes effective May 11 2019

  • Snook and red drum will remain catch-and-release only for an additional year through May 31, 2020.
  • Spotted seatrout will be catch-and-release only, including no commercial harvest through May 31, 2020.
And in most cases, we simply do not have enough enforcement or awareness by the public on this topic. So if you see someone dropping one of these three into a cooler... Kindly remind them they are all (no matter the size) "Catch and Release" at this point to help rebuild our stock levels again :)

Thanks for your help and sharing this topic with others :D
Dave
 
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