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.

NMFS proposes to implement management measures described in Amendment 37 to the Fishery Management Plan for the Reef Fish Resources of the Gulf of Mexico (FMP) prepared by the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council). If implemented, this rule would revise the commercial and recreational sector's annual catch limits (ACLs) and annual catch targets (ACTs) for gray triggerfish; revise the recreational sector accountability measures (AMs) for gray triggerfish; revise the gray triggerfish recreational bag limit; establish a commercial trip limit for gray triggerfish; and establish a fixed closed season for the gray triggerfish commercial and recreational sectors. Additionally, Amendment 37 would modify the gray triggerfish rebuilding plan. The intent of this rule is to end overfishing of gray triggerfish and help achieve optimum yield (OY) for the gray triggerfish resource in accordance with the requirements of the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (Magnuson-Stevens Act).

Written comments must be received on or before March 15, 2013.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will meet Feb. 13-14 in Orlando to discuss Florida’s saltwater fishery, including final rules for game fish and sport fish designations, new gray triggerfish standards and amendments that update or clean up other rules; falconry amendments; freshwater fishing and hunting matters, including two new wildlife management areas and more flexible hunting permits; and more.