FWC to consider saltwater game fish and sport fish designations in February

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will consider creating saltwater game fish and sport fish designations when the commission meets in February.

It’s a move local county commissioners oppose.

If the proposal is passed it would create a game fish designation that would make certain species off-limits to commercial fishermen and a sports fish designation that would offer an even higher level of protection by making selected species catch-and-release only.

The Fish and Wildlife Commission has not yet said which species could fall under the new designations, but county commissioners say the plan is just another attack on commercial fishing in Florida.

The Franklin County commission has sent a letter opposing the new designations.

That letter was sent to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission as well as to the county’s legislative delegation and to the governor’s office.

The FWC is expected to consider a final rule on the game and sports fish designations at their meeting on February the 13^th in Orlando.

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