FWC moves forward with Gulf Reef Fish Data Reporting System

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is moving forward with a plan to create a Gulf Reef Fish Data Reporting System to help determine how many fishermen are targeting reef fish in the Gulf.

If approved, private recreational anglers fishing in Gulf state waters would be required to take part in the Reporting System to harvest or possess reef fish including red and vermilion snapper; gag, black and red grouper; gray triggerfish; greater and lesser amberjack; banded rudderfish; and almaco jack.

Anglers, captain and crew aboard for-hire vessels would not be required to partake in the data-collection system because they already have their own survey.

This would be a no-cost program, due to a five-year National Fish and Wildlife Foundation Gulf restoration grant.

The Commission added a five-year sunset clause so that when the grant funding ends, the program would be evaluated and reconsidered.

The proposal will be brought back before the Commission at its June meeting in Fort Myers for a final public hearing.

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