A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) investigation led to the arrests on Friday, Aug. 9, of three suspects in Levy and Pinellas counties for violating state laws pertaining to illegally harvesting and selling various fish and wildlife. Fifteen additional suspects were served with a notice to appear citations in Levy, Orange, Pinellas, and […]
Recreational bay scallop season for Franklin through the northwestern portion of Taylor, as well as Levy, Citrus, and Hernando counties opens July 1 and will remain open through September 24. This includes Carrabelle, Lanark, St. Marks, Cedar Key, Crystal River, and Homosassa. Rules Do not discard scallop shells in inshore waters commonly used for recreational […]
The recreational red snapper season started June 11 in Gulf state and federal waters and will remain open through July 12, closing July 13. Anglers fishing from private recreational boats will need to sign up as a Gulf Reef Fish Angler to target red snapper and several other reef fish in Gulf state and federal […]
Florida — Fifteen eastern indigo snakes, listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, has just been released in northern Florida as part of a continuing collaborative plan to return the important, native, non-venomous apex predator to the region. This effort marks the third year in a row that snakes raised specifically for the recovery […]
At its February meeting in Gainesville, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) said it approved changes to shark fishing regulations, including management changes for the shore-based shark fishery. FWC says these rules are intended to increase survival of released sharks, improve information gathering for the fishery, and address some of the public safety […]
Summerfield — Marion County Animal Services served a search warrant at 14255 Southeast 100th Avenue following an anonymous tip. When investigators arrived, they found 38 dogs and several diamondback rattlesnakes, at which time the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was notified. Officials said that Tyrone A. Terry, 41, does not have the proper permits […]
The recreational harvest season for snook closes Dec. 1 in federal and most state waters of the Gulf, including all of Monroe County and Everglades National Park. Snook, as well as redfish, remain catch-and-release only in state waters from the Hernando/Pasco county line through Gordon Pass in Collier County (includes Tampa Bay and Hillsborough County) […]
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is requesting public input as staff improves rules for non-native species. The potential changes will affect rules related to the importation of high-risk species and include possible additions to the Prohibited Species list. Staff will also work on clarifying language in existing rules. People can provide input […]
At its September meeting in Tallahassee, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) directed staff to expand a recent mandatory catch-and-release only measure for snook and redfish due to red tide. The mandatory catch-and-release ruling will begin on September 28, 2018, through May 10, 2019. The areas include Gordon Pass in Collier County and […]
Recreational red snapper season closes soon in Gulf state and federal waters. Red snapper season for recreational anglers fishing from private vessels and for charter captains who do not have a federal reef fish permit is open through July 20 and closes July 21. For-hire operations with federal reef fish permits are open through July […]
Gag grouper will open for recreational harvest in most state Gulf of Mexico waters and all federal Gulf waters June 1 and will remain open through December 31. Franklin, Wakulla, Taylor, and Jefferson counties are excluded from this opening because they have their own season from April 1-June 30 and September 1-December 31. Monroe County […]
Law enforcement officials are investigating a Forest High School teacher, Dewie Brewton, who allegedly drown two raccoons and an opossum in an agriculture class. The incident was made public after a student showed his mother a video of the animals being drowned. Brewton apparently drowned the animals because they had been killing the class’ chickens. […]
The commercial and recreational harvest of stone crab claws in Florida closes on May 16, with the last day of harvest on May 15. Stone crab season will reopen on October 15. This five-month closure occurs each year during the peak spawning season to help conserve and sustain Florida’s valuable stone crab resource. Commercially harvested […]
Following a four-month-long investigation, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), along with the Hillsborough County State Attorney’s Office announced charges against three fishermen in connection with a video of a shark being dragged behind a boat at a high rate of speed. During the investigation, officials said they also learned of other […]
Florida’s recreational and commercial stone crab claw harvest season opens Oct. 15 through May 15, 2018, closing May 16, in state and federal waters. To ensure this valuable resource is available for generations to come, take care when removing crab claws and follow all conservation-based management guidelines for stone crab harvest. Harvesters should only take […]
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says the bay scallop season off Gulf County remains postponed due to a naturally occurring algae bloom in St. Joseph Bay. The season postponement will continue until scallop samples test safe for human consumption. According to a press release, the season postponement will continue until scallop samples test […]
FWC – Today, spiny lobster regular recreational and commercial season begins. The two-day sports season last week successfully wrapped up, and lobster lovers everywhere are now getting ready for the regular recreational and commercial season, which starts Aug. 6 and runs through March 31, 2018. This economically important season generates more than $1 million through […]
[Last updated on July 26, 2017, at 5:05 p.m.] UPDATE Statement from Sarasota Slam: “The Sarasota Slam is in NO WAY affiliated with the despicable behavior in the video on social media. We do not want to give those individuals any more attention. They will be banned from our tournament. Rule #1 of the Slam […]
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has confirmed that search efforts are underway for a missing suphan cobra in the vicinity of the 900 block of Northeast 9th Street, Ocala. According to a FWC press release, residents in the area, especially if walking a pet, should use caution until the snake is captured. FWC […]
(Official FWC Press Release) At its February meeting in Crystal River, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) discussed the current status of bay scallops in St. Joseph Bay in Gulf County; approved regional changes to the bay scallop season dates in Gulf County and areas surrounding Gulf County; and discussed potential season dates […]