Groundbreaking rule opens the door for seafood farming in federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico NOAA filed a final rule today implementing the nation’s first comprehensive regulatory program for aquaculture in federal waters....read more

Florida Interest

FWC to meet Feb. 10-11 near Tallahassee

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will meet Feb. 10-11 at the Florida Public Safety Institute, 85 Academy Drive, Havana, FL 32333 (www.tcc.fl.edu/Current/Academics/FPSI/). The Institute is located west of the city of Midway on U.S. Highway 90. Both sessions are open to the public.

The meeting starts at 8:30 a.m. both days and the public will be provided opportunities to speak.

For the full Feb. 10-11 agenda and links to background reports, go to MyFWC.com/Commission and select “Commission Meetings.”

Those who cannot attend can follow live coverage at Twitter.com/MyFWC (Twitter@MyFWC) and join in the conversation at the #FWC2016 hashtag. Check the Florida Channel for possible live video coverage at TheFloridaChannel.org.

http://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLFFWCC/bulletins/133a70e

Sent out to Florida Members

A couple of emails that have been circulating from the FWC are copied to you below, we realize some of you may already be on the FWC mailing list but just in case y'all have not seen or received these, here they are for you to review.

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For those of you who have not had a chance to complete this survey, please take a moment and help the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) better understand the possible economic impacts that may result from a rule change (68A-27.003 F.A.C.) proposed  by the draft Imperiled Species Management Plan (ISMP).

Please complete the survey using the link below by Friday, Jan 29th. The survey will take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. The survey is completely anonymous and conducted by Environmental Economics Inc.  No survey data will be shared with FWC.  The link to the survey is: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/ISMP_Survey_of_Economic_Impacts

If you have any questions related to the survey please contact Michael Thomas Michael.thomas.fl@gmail.com. Thank you for your assistance in this effort.  

If you have already completed this survey, THANK YOU and this email is not directed to you.

Claire Sunquist Blunden
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
1239 SW 10th Street
Ocala, FL 34471
Office: 352-732-1225
Cell: 352-299-1532

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Snook reopens in Atlantic state waters

 

The recreational harvest season for snook reopens on Feb. 1 in Florida’s Atlantic coastal and inland waters (from the Miami-Dade/Monroe county line north), including Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River. The season will remain open through May 31.

In the Atlantic, anglers may keep one snook per day that is not less than 28 or more than 32 inches total length, which is measured from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed while the fish is lying on its side. A snook permit is required to keep snook, along with a saltwater fishing license, unless the angler is exempt from the license requirements. Only hook-and-line gear is allowed when targeting or harvesting snook.

It is illegal to buy or sell snook.

Snook are one of the many reasons Florida is the Fishing Capital of the World. As a result, the FWC encourages anglers to use moderation when determining whether or not to take a snook home, even during the open season.

Researchers ask anglers who harvest the fish to save their filleted carcasses and provide them to the FWC by dropping them off at a participating bait and tackle store. This program allows anglers to participate in the collection of data such as the size, age, maturity and sex of Florida's premier inshore game fish, snook. For a county-by-county list, go to MyFWC.com/Research and click on “Saltwater,” “Snook,” and “Snook Anglers Asked to Help with Research.”

The harvest of snook in all of Florida’s Gulf of Mexico state waters, including Everglades National Park and all of Monroe County, remains closed until March 1. Snook harvested from the open waters of the Atlantic may not be transported through closed water or landed in the closed area. Anglers may catch and release snook during the closed season, but the FWC encourages anglers to handle and release these fish carefully to help ensure their survival upon release. Proper handling methods can help ensure the species’ abundance for anglers today and generations to come. To learn more about fish handling, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater,” “Recreational Regulations” and “Fish Handling.”

Below is a Southeast Fishery Bulletin recently distributed from NOAA Fisheries Service that may be of interest.  SOUTHEAST FISHERY BULLETIN    (Gulf of Mexico)           FB14-037          Cynthia Meyer  727-824-5305   May 23, 2014          Reminder: Procedures for Transferring Federal   Gulf of Mexico Charter/Headboat Reef Fish Permits   NOAA Fisheries wants to remind for-hire owners and operators about the procedures for transferring a federal Gulf of Mexico charter/headboat reef fish permit between vessels.   To initiate a permit transfer, the permit holder must sign the back of the original permit, remove the decal from the permitted vessel, and mail the original signed permit along with a complete application to NOAA Fisheries for processing. Applications are processed in the order in which they are received.   After the permit transfer application is mailed, there will be a time period where the vessel will not be able to fish for reef fish in either federal or state waters. The vessel cannot fish for reef fish in federal waters without a valid permit onboard, and it cannot fish for reef fish in state waters until NOAA Fisheries' Permits Office receives and processes the transfer application.   Vessel owners or operators can track the status of their permit transfer request by checking the list of valid "Gulf of Mexico Charter / Headboat for Reef Fish" permits on the Web site at go.usa.gov/kqa4

Frequently Asked Questions  

2014 Gulf of Mexico Recreational Fishing Closures and Accountability Measures 

 May 2014 

 

 Why are many recreational fishing seasons for reef fish being closed or shortened? 

• Federal regulations require most federally managed species to have an annual catch limit. An 

annual catch limit is the amount of fish that can be caught by fishermen in a fishing year. 

• Most federally managed species also have accountability measures which are management 

measures intended to prevent catch limits from being exceeded or mitigate overages if they 

occur. 

• If the catch limit is exceeded, accountability measures are triggered. 

• For many Gulf reef fish species, accountability measures include shortening the fishing season 

in the following year if the catch limit is exceeded in the prior year to ensure landings do not 

exceed the annual catch limit or annual catch target. 

• Annual catch targets are catch levels set below the annual catch limit and are typically used for 

stocks that are depleted (overfished) and in need of rebuilding. 

• Additionally, some species that are depleted require overages to be paid back in the following 

fishing year, resulting in catch limits and catch targets being reduced. 

 

What Gulf of Mexico species exceeded their annual catch limits in 2013? 

• Recreational catch limits for Gulf of Mexico red snapper, red grouper, gray triggerfish, and 

greater amberjack were exceeded in 2013. 

• Combined commercial and recreational catch limits for Gulf of Mexico hogfish and Spanish 

mackerel were also exceeded. 

 

What were the landings, annual catch limits, and annual catch targets for recreationally caught species exceeding their annual catch limits in 2013? 

Species Annual Catch Target Annual Catch Limit Landings 

Gray triggerfish 217,100 lbs ww 241,200 lbs ww 524,605 lbs ww 

Greater amberjack 1,130,000 lbs ww 1,299,000 lbs ww 1,566,488 lbs ww 

Hogfish n/a 208,000 lbs ww 251,034 lbs ww 

Red Grouper 1,730,000 lbs gw 1,900,000 lbs gw 2,392,112 lbs gw 

Red Snapper n/a 5,390,000 lbs ww 9,541,327 lbs ww 

Spanish mackerel n/a 5,150,000 lbs 15,912,344 lbs 

 

 Spanish mackerel has a combined commercial and recreational annual catch limit. Where can I find more information about 2013 annual landings of federally managed species? 

• Landings are summarized on the NOAA Fisheries Southeast Regional Office website at: 

http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/acl_monitoring/index.html 

• Landings are from the Marine Recreational Information Program, the Southeast Headboat 

Survey, the Texas Parks and Wildlife’s recreational creel survey, and the Southeast Fisheries 

Science Center’s commercial quota monitoring program.  

What are the accountability measures for species that exceeded their annual catch limits? 

Gray Triggerfish and Greater Amberjack 

• Because both of these species are overfished, accountability measures require the annual catch 

limit and annual catch target to be reduced in the following year by the amount of the previous 

year’s catch limit overage. 

• Additionally, when recreational landings reach or are projected to reach the annual catch target 

for these species, NOAA Fisheries must close the fishery for the remainder of the year. 

Red Grouper 

• When recreational landings reach or are projected to reach the annual catch limit for red grouper, 

NOAA Fisheries must close the fishery for the remainder of the year; and 

• If recreational red grouper landings exceed the annual catch limit, NOAA Fisheries must 

maintain the annual catch target at the level of the prior year’s annual catch target and reduce the 

bag limit by one fish (from 4 to 3 in 2014). 

Hogfish and Spanish Mackerel 

• If the sum of commercial and recreational landings exceeds the total catch limit for these 

species, then during the following fishing year, if the sum of commercial and recreational 

landings reaches or is projected to reach the total catch limit, NOAA Fisheries will close the 

commercial and recreational sectors for the remainder of that fishing year. 

Red Snapper 

• NOAA Fisheries is required to close red snapper when the recreational quota is met or projected 

to be met. 

• Additionally, in 2014 an annual catch target was set 20% less than the annual catch limit to 

increase the likelihood that a quota overage does not occur. 

 

Are changes to the Marine Recreational Information Program survey responsible for so many 

annual catch limits being exceeded? 

• New Marine Recreational Information Program estimates are more accurate and less biased than 

those produced previously. The Marine Recreational Information Program redesigned the 

dockside angler intercept survey in March 2013 to provide better coverage of the variety of 

fishing trips ending at different times of day. 

• Assuming the new survey methodology eliminated past biases, the new estimates might not be 

directly comparable to 2013 catch limits or other management reference points and may be in 

part responsible for some annual catch limits being exceeded. However, other factors may also 

be responsible for higher landings in 2013. For instance, overall Gulf-wide fishing effort was up 

8% compared to 2012 and scientific data indicates a strong year-class of red grouper is entering 

the fishery. 

 Gray Triggerfish 

Why was the gray triggerfish recreational sector closed so early in 2014? 

• The recreational annual catch limit was exceeded by more than double in 2013. Accountability 

measures require NOAA Fisheries to deduct the overage off of the following year’s annual catch limit and annual catch target. Because of the magnitude of the 2013 overage, the annual catch 

limit and annual catch target for recreational gray triggerfish in 2014 was set to zero; therefore, 

requiring NOAA Fisheries to close the recreational sector. 

 Why did NOAA Fisheries not close recreational gray triggerfish earlier in 2013 to prevent such a 

large overage? 

• In 2012, the recreational gray triggerfish sector was closed in June. 

• In 2013, projections completed early in the year indicated the recreational sector should close 

again in early June. However, at the time the recreational sector was projected to close, only 

18% of annual catch target had been reported landed. NOAA Fisheries decided to wait until 

landings were available through June, but receipt of those landings estimates was delayed due to 

ongoing improvements to the Marine Recreational Information Program survey. When landings 

estimates through June were received in early fall it was determined the annual catch target was 

close to being met, therefore NOAA Fisheries closed the recreational sector on October 15, 

2013. Furthermore, high levels of landings were reported in September and October, resulting 

in a large catch limit overage. 

 

Why is NOAA Fisheries now closing recreational gray triggerfish in spring or early summer, 

when in previous years there were no closures? 

• Based on the results of a 2011 population assessment, NOAA Fisheries and the Gulf of Mexico 

Fishery Management Council (Council) determined gray triggerfish was not rebuilding 

according to the rebuilding plan and remained overfished. 

• The Council developed a suite of actions intended to allow gray triggerfish to rebuild within the 

rebuilding plan timeline; this included a reduction in the annual catch limit and annual catch 

target. 

• The reduced annual catch limits and annual catch targets are being met more quickly, resulting 

in earlier in-season closures. 

 

Red Grouper 

Why is NOAA Fisheries now closing recreational red grouper in-season, when there have not been 

closures in previous years? 

• Annual catch limits for red grouper in prior years have not been exceeded, allowing the 

recreational red grouper fishing season to remain open until the end of the year. 

• Based on a 2009 stock assessment, red grouper were determined to not be overfished or 

undergoing overfishing, and the stock was increasing in abundance. 

• Recognizing that recreational fishing opportunities could be increased, the Gulf of Mexico 

Fishery Management Council chose to increase the bag limit from 2 to 4 fish, beginning in 2012. 

Landings in 2012 increased substantially compared to previous years, and were 96% of the catch 

limit. Landings in 2013 exceeded the catch limit by 26%, triggering this year’s reduction to the 

bag limit and fishery closure. 

 

When is the red grouper recreational sector expected to close in 2014? 

• The red grouper recreational catch limit is estimated to be met by September 16, 2014. 

• NOAA Fisheries will continue to monitor landings in season and will make adjustments to the 

closure date, as needed. 

 

 Instead of implementing a lengthy closure for red grouper why not reduce the bag limit to two 

fish? 

• Accountability measures for red grouper only allow NOAA Fisheries to reduce the bag limit by 

one fish. The red grouper bag limit of 3 fish became effective May 5, 2014. 

• Reducing the bag limit from 4 to 2 fish would require action by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery 

Management Council. 

• A 2-fish bag limit would extend the season longer than a 3-fish bag limit, but may still result in 

the recreational sector being closed at the end of the year if landings in 2014 are similar to 

landings in 2013. 

 

Greater Amberjack 

What are the annual catch limits and annual catch targets for greater amberjack in 2014 and 

when is the recreational sector expected to close? 

• Recreational catches of greater amberjack have approached or exceeded the annual catch limit in 

two of the last four years, resulting in adjusted catch limits where the overages have been 

subtracted from the next year’s quota. 

• The 2013 greater amberjack recreational catch limit was exceeded by 267,488 lbs. Annual catch 

limits and annual catch targets for 2014 were reduced by this same amount to 1,031,512 lbs and 

862,512 lbs, respectively. 

• A seasonal closure is in effect for recreationally caught greater amberjack from June 1 through 

July 31. NOAA Fisheries has not determined when the annual catch target for the recreational 

greater amberjack sector will be met and will continue to monitor landings in season. If catches 

are similar to those in 2013, the recreational greater amberjack sector is expected to close in late 

summer for the remainder of the fishing year. 

 

Hogfish and Spanish Mackerel 

When will the hogfish and Spanish mackerel recreational sectors close in 2014? 

• The Spanish mackerel recreational sector is not expected to close in 2014/15 despite last year’s 

overage because the catch limit for Spanish mackerel is being significantly increased this year 

through new rulemaking. 

• NOAA Fisheries has not determined the closure date for hogfish and will continue to monitor 

landings in season. If catches are similar to those in 2013, hogfish is expected to close this fall. 

 

Red Snapper 

When is the 2014 recreational red snapper season open in federal waters? 

• The 2014 recreational red snapper season in federal waters begins June 1, 2014, at 12:01 a.m., 

local time and closes June 10, 2014, at 12:01 a.m., local time. 

 

Why is the recreational season length 9 days instead of the 40-day season announced in December 

2013? 

• In March 2014, a U.S. District Court ruled, in part, that NOAA Fisheries failed to require 

adequate accountability measures for the recreational sector to ensure the recreational quota was 

not exceeded. The Court also found NOAA Fisheries failed to use the best scientific information 

available by not using the 2013 Marine Recreational Information Program data to determine if 

quota remained to allow for an additional fall season. 

• The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council requested this emergency rule at their April 

2014 meeting to better ensure red snapper recreational landings do not exceed the recreational quota established in the rebuilding plan, in accordance with the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery 

Conservation and Management Act and the Court’s ruling. 

• The inconsistent state seasons account for nearly half of the total recreational quota. 

• Taking these extended state seasons into account, and establishing a recreational annual catch 

target by applying the 20-percent buffer, reduced the federal season to 11 days. Subsequently, 

Louisiana extended their state-water season, which required a further reduction in the federal 

season to 9 days. 

• For more information about how the recreational season was calculated go to the 2014 red snapper season length report in Appendix B (page 76) at: 

http://sero.nmfs.noaa.gov/sustainable_fisheries/gulf_fisheries/reef_fish/2013/rs_2014_rec/documents/pdfs/gulf_rs_2014_emergency_action_ea.pdf 

 

Gag 

Was the recreational annual catch limit for gag exceeded in 2013? 

• No, the recreational annual catch limit for gag of 1.495 million pounds was not exceeded in 

2013. Recreational landings totaled 1.467 million pounds, or 98% of the annual catch limit. 

 

What will the recreational annual catch limit be for gag in 2014 and when will the gag 

recreational season open and close? 

• The recreational annual catch limit for gag is 1.72 million pounds and the recreational annual 

catch target for gag is 1.519 million pounds. 

• Recreational accountability measures for gag require NOAA Fisheries to close the recreational 

sector when the annual catch limit is met or projected to be met. 

• The gag recreational season opens in federal waters on July 1, 2014, and will remain open until 

December 3, 2014, unless the annual catch limit is met or projected to be met before that date. 

 

Vermilion Snapper 

Recreational landings of vermilion snapper were much higher in 2013 than in previous years? 

Will there be a recreational closure for vermilion snapper? 

• At this time, the vermilion snapper recreational sector is not projected to close in 2014. 

• Marine Recreational Information Program landings of vermilion snapper in 2013 were nearly 

double those reported in 2012. 

• Despite this large increase in recreational landings, the combined commercial and recreational 

annual catch limit for vermilion snapper of 3.42 million pounds was not exceeded. 

• NOAA Fisheries will continue to monitor vermilion snapper landings in-season. If combined 

commercial and recreational vermilion snapper landings reach or are project to reach the annual 

catch limit, then NOAA Fisheries will close the commercial and recreational sectors for the 

remainder of the year. 

For More Information Contact: Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council

 

Wanted: North Florida anglers to collect tarpon DNA

 

Volunteer anglers in northern Florida are encouraged to catch and collect a DNA sample from every tarpon they catch that is 30 inches or longer. Since 2006, scientists from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) have partnered with Mote Marine Laboratory to use DNA fingerprinting as a way to track the movements, habits and recapture rates of Atlantic tarpon in coastal and inshore waters. For the full article please click here

FWC to meet Nov. 20-21 in Weston
 
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will meet Nov. 20-21 in south Florida. The meeting, at the Bonaventure Conference Center, 250 Racquet Club Road, Weston, starts at 8:30 a.m. both days. The public is invited and will be provided opportunities to speak.

For the full notice: Click Here

NMFS proposes to implement management measures described in an abbreviated framework to the Fishery Management Plans (FMPs) for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Gulf Council), and Coastal Migratory Pelagic Resource prepared by the Gulf Council and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council (South Atlantic Council). If implemented, this rule would eliminate the requirement to submit a current certificate of inspection (COI) provided by the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) with the application to renew or transfer a Federal Gulf of Mexico (Gulf) coastal migratory pelagic (CMP) or reef fish charter vessel/headboat permit (hereafter referred to as a for-hire permit). The rule would eliminate the restriction on transferring for-hire permits to a vessel of greater authorized passenger capacity than specified on the permit. The rule would also prohibit the harvest or possession of CMP or reef fish species on a vessel with a Gulf for-hire permit that is carrying more passengers than is specified on the permit. The intended effect of this proposed rule is to simplify the passenger capacity requirements for transfers and renewals of Gulf CMP and reef fish for-hire permits to provide more flexibility in the use of these permitted vessels.

Written comments must be received on or before July 8, 2013.

 

At its meeting June 13 in Lakeland, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) elected Vice Chairman Richard “Dick” Corbett of Tampa to serve as Chairman, effective July 1.

 

Biscayne Superintendent recently indicated plans by the Park to shift away from previous proposals to establish a 10,000 acre marine reserve at Biscayne National Park. Senators Nelson and Rubio and members of the south Florida delegation have been actively monitoring the General Management Plan and called for less onerous fishing and boating proposals from what was initially proposed. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has been negotiating with the Park to develop alternative plans that better balance access and conservation.