The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has approved a rule amendment that will stop recreational fishing for Gag grouper in the Gulf of Mexico except for a month-long open season in September and November.
Gulf gag grouper are considered to be overfished and undergoing overfishing, and federal fisheries managers are preparing a plan to help rebuild their population.
Currently there is an interim rule in effect that prohibits the recreational harvest of gag grouper in Gulf federal waters.
This federal prohibition is expected to be in effect through the end of 2011, except for a planned September 16th through November 15th open recreational harvest season.
The FWC believes that applying the same recreational open and closed harvest seasons for gag grouper in Gulf state waters will maximize fishing opportunities for anglers and charter boat operators along Florida’s Gulf coast and provide economic benefits to the region.
These seasons would apply this year only, and they are contingent upon approval of the same gag grouper harvest seasons in Gulf federal waters.
http://www.oysterradio.com e-mail manager@oysterradio.com with comments
No comments:
Post a Comment