All of the motions made at the last Gulf Council Meeting are below;

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection and Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will host two public meetings this month as well as a webinar to gather input on the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council’s Path Forward document and Florida’s projects to be submitted to the Council for consideration.  

A webinar will be held at noon EST Feb. 26. Public meetings will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. Feb. 28 at Gulf Coast State College in Panama City and 6 to 9 p.m. March 13 at the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute in St. Petersburg.

Looking for an easy way to get all of your saltwater fishing regulation information in one place? You are in luck. The January – June 2013 Florida Saltwater Recreational Fishing Regulations booklets are on the shelf at many of your favorite bait and tackle stores. Pick up your own copy today but remember, they are only at stores that also sell saltwater fishing licenses.

The newest edition has a striking photo of the invasive lionfish on the cover and features an article requesting public assistance removing these fish from Florida’s waters. It also includes information on upcoming regulation changes for giant anemone, unicorn filefish and Atlantic black sea bass. Love fishing for spotted seatrout or red drum? Check out the new maps detailing special management zones within the Gulf and Atlantic.

With more than 3 million anglers in the state, it is likely you either know someone who fishes, or you are someone who fishes. Either way, Florida’s license-free fishing days are the perfect venue to try your hand or introduce a friend to some of the finest fishing in the world.

During its Feb. 13 meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) selected Saturday, June 1 and Sunday, Sept. 1 as the 2013 saltwater license-free fishing days. On these days, the requirement to have a recreational fishing license is waived for Florida’s residents and visitors while they are saltwater fishing.

The Joint meeting will be held Monday, March 4,

The meeting will be held at the Sea Palms Resort and Conference Center, 5445 Frederica Road, St. Simons Island, GA 31522; telephone:  (800) 841-6268 or  (912) 638-3351; fax: (912) 638-5416.   

The world's largest offshore drilling contractor has been sentenced to pay $400 million in criminal penalities
Second Corporate Guilty Plea Obtained by Deepwater Horizon Task Force, Second-largest Criminal Clean Water Act Fines and Penalties in U.S. History

Transocean Deepwater Inc. pleaded guilty to a violation of the Clean Water Act (CWA) for its illegal conduct leading to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster, and was sentenced to pay $400 million in criminal fines and penalties, Attorney General Holder announced.

Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council February 2013 Update

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council met in Mobile, Alabama, February 5 - 8, 2013, to discuss a number of fishery issues, including several related to the management of red snapper. Here are some of the actions taken by the Council last week.

Commission discusses game fish, sport fish designations

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) tabled a decision to create official saltwater game fish and sport fish designations Wednesday, Feb. 13, at its meeting in Orlando and directed staff to develop catch-and-release provisions for bonefish and tarpon.

The Commission directed staff to bring the draft proposal to the FWC’s April Commission meeting in Tallahassee and gather public input on the issue before the meeting.

FWC approves changes to rebuild Gulf gray triggerfish population

Commission proposes 2013 Gulf recreational red snapper season in state waters

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) proposed a 44-day recreational red snapper season for Gulf of Mexico state waters at its meeting Feb. 13 in Orlando.

This season would start June 1 and end July 14. The proposed 2013 season is inconsistent with the current proposed federal season, which is currently expected to be about 27 days but may be shortened once state seasons in all Gulf state waters are finalized.

The Commission will make a final decision on this season at the April Commission meeting in Tallahassee.

2013 gag grouper recreational season set for Gulf state waters

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) set the 2013 recreational gag grouper season for Gulf of Mexico state waters at its meeting Feb. 13 in Orlando.

The season in most state waters is slated to start July 1 and end Dec. 3.