FWC votes to end venting tool requirement

Florida fishermen will soon no longer be required to have and use a venting tool when fishing for reef fish in Gulf of Mexico state waters.

Venting tools have been required in Gulf state and federal waters since 2008.

The requirement was intended to increase survival rates of released red snapper, but applied to all species of Gulf reef fish.

The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council removed the requirement to have and use a venting tool in Gulf federal waters earlier this year after studies showed the tools weren’t extremely effective and because recently developed options like descending devices may increase a fishes chances of survival.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission removed the requirement in Gulf state waters to make state regulations consistent with rules in federal waters and to giver fishermen the freedom to determine how to best maximize survival of released reef fish using devices they feel are appropriate, depending on the circumstances.

The changes will take effect as soon as possible.

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