FWC's Fishing in the Know - June 2020

June 2020

FWC's Fishing in the Know

Division of Marine Fisheries Management Monthly Newsletter

Before using treble hooks, remove some of the hooks and flatten the remaining barbs. This makes it easier to remove the hooks from the fish and causes less damage.

Brice Williamson is ready for red snapper season in the Gulf. Are you?  Submit your photos by emailing them to Saltwater@MyFWC.com. Learn more about our photo guidelines. Commission meeting – May Marine Fisheries items Information: The FWC Commission listened to public testimony on and discussed the following marine fisheries management items at the May 14 virtual meeting. Decision making (regulation changes were made on this topic): State Reef Fish Survey: The Commission approved a proposal that will replace the Gulf Reef Fish Survey (GRFS), which expires June 30, 2020, with the no-cost State Reef Fish Survey (SRFS). The new survey will expand the current Gulf Reef Fish Survey statewide to Monroe County and the Atlantic coast. It will also add mutton snapper, yellowtail snapper and hogfish to the list of reef fish species included in the survey. Draft proposal (these items will be brought back to a future meeting for final decision): Stone crab: The Commission moved forward with a draft proposal that, if approved in July, would make changes to how stone crab is managed in Florida, including possible changes to season dates, minimum claw size, trap construction requirements, and possession of whole stone crabs on the water. To comment or learn more or to participate in an upcoming workshop, visit com/SaltwaterComments. Links for more information: Agenda [MyFWC.com] Flounder Virtual workshops scheduled for June 2 and 4 Information: FWC will be holding two virtual flounder workshops to gather public input about management of the flounder fishery. A stock status update suggests that the flounder fishery statewide has been in a general declining trend in recent years and is likely overfished and undergoing overfishing on the Atlantic coast of Florida.  These workshops will start at 6 p.m., EDT and will be on June 2 and June 4. Connect to the meeting by going to http://fwc.adobeconnect.com/mfm/. A number to call into will be on the screen once you are logged into Adobe Connect. If you can’t attend one of the virtual workshops, a video workshop will be available at https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/rulemaking/workshops/ Link for more information: Comments [MyFWC.com] Stone crab Virtual workshops scheduled Information: FWC will be holding two virtual stone crab workshops to gather public input about management of the stone crab fishery. Staff will provide a brief presentation on the stone crab fishery and gather feedback on proposed management changes.  All commercial and recreational stakeholders interested in stone crab management are encouraged to attend. These workshops will start at 6 p.m., EDT and will be on June 16 and June 18. Connect to the meeting by going to http://fwc.adobeconnect.com/mfm/. A number to call into will be on the screen once you are logged into Adobe Connect. If you can’t attend one of the virtual workshops, a video workshop will be available at https://myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/rulemaking/workshops/ Link for more information: Comments [MyFWC.com] Stone crab draft rule presentation [MyFWC.com] State Reef Fish Survey New requirement for reef fish anglers July 1, 2020 Information: Starting July 1, 2020, all those who intend to fish for or harvest certain reef fish from a private vessel in Florida are required to obtain the State Reef Fish Angler designation. The statewide State Reef Fish Survey will be replacing the Gulf Reef Fish Survey. State Reef Fish Anglers will help improve recreational data for several reef fish species such snapper, grouper, and hogfish. The process is easy, no-cost and will help the FWC paint a clearer picture of how many people are targeting reef fish like red snapper and gag and what they are seeing and harvesting on the water. Visit the link below for a full list of species included in the State Reef Fish Survey, information on how to sign up and much more. Link for more information: State Reef Fish Survey [MyFWC.com] Red snapper – Gulf Recreational season opens June 11 Information: The recreational red snapper season for anglers fishing from private recreational vessels opens in Gulf state and federal waters June 11. This season remains open through July 25, closing July 26. The Gulf season for federally-permitted for-hire operations is June 1-Aug. 1. The federal Atlantic season is pending federal rule making. Link for more information: Snapper [MyFWC.com] Gag – Gulf Recreational season starts June 1 in most state waters Information: The recreational gag grouper season starts June 1 in most state and all federal Gulf of Mexico waters. This season will remain open through Dec. 31, closing Jan. 1, 2021. Monroe County follows Atlantic regulations and is open from May 1-Dec. 31. State waters off Franklin, Wakulla, Taylor and Jefferson counties are open April 1-June 30 and Sept. 1-Dec. 31. Links for more information: Grouper [MyFWC.com] Snook – Atlantic Season closes June 1 in state and federal waters Information: The recreational snook season in Atlantic state and federal waters closes June 1, reopening to harvest Sept. 1. This includes all waters of Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River. All Gulf state and federal waters are also closed. Links for more information: Snook [MyFWC.com] Amberjack – Gulf Season closes June 1 Information: The greater amberjack recreational season in Gulf state waters will close June 1, with the last day of harvest May 31. The season will open again Aug. 1 through Oct. 31. Links for more information: Greater amberjack [MyFWC.com] Bay scallops Season off Dixie and part of Taylor County opens June 15 Information: The 2020 bay scallop season for all state waters east of Rock Island near the mouth of the Fenholloway River in Taylor County and north of Alligator Pass day beacon #4 near the mouth of the Suwannee River in Levy County opens June 15 and will remain open through Labor Day (Sept. 7, 2020). This includes Keaton Beach and Steinhatchee. The daily bag limit from June 15-30 in this area is one gallon of whole bay scallops in shell or one cup shucked per person OR 5 gallons whole or two pints shucked per vessel. Regular bag limits apply July 1-Labor Day in the above area. Links for more information: Bay scallops [MyFWC.com] 2020 Lionfish Challenge Turn in your lionfish for rewards Information: The 2020 Lionfish Challenge rewards lionfish harvesters with prizes for submitting lionfish. Participants who remove the most lionfish in the recreational and commercial categories by Sept. 7 (Labor Day) will be crowned the 2020 Recreational Lionfish King/Queen and the Commercial Champion. Register today or learn more about the program at FWCReefRangers.com. Bluefish Submit your comments Information: Bluefish from Maine through the Atlantic coast of Florida make up a single population. A 2019 federal stock assessment found that this population is overfished. Due to the overfished status, federal fishery managers adopted more restrictive recreational bag limits in federal waters, and the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) is requesting states implement similar regulations in state waters. In response to the ASMFC request, FWC will discuss and potentially implement a three-fish per person recreational bag limit for bluefish caught in Atlantic state waters. To comment on this fishery and potential regulation updates, visit MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments. Links for more information: Saltwater Comments [MyFWC.com] Bluefish [MyFWC.com] FLCoralCrew Are YOU in the CREW? Information: 25,000 of you have joined our FL Coral Crew! Thank you! We know there are more sportsmen and women and others out there that want healthy, beautiful coral reefs. To receive more information about what we’re doing with our partners to address Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease, sign up today at FLCoralCrew.com! FWC needs your feedback Information: FWC is collecting feedback on several fisheries topics including bluefish, flounder and stone crab. Provide comments on these or other fisheries online at MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments. Saltwater Angler Recognition Programs Catch a Florida Memory today Information: Due to the effects of COVID-19, prize package mailings are on hold until further notice and will resume as soon as safely possible. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Anglers are still encouraged to submit catches. Earn rewards for various achievements while targeting a diversity of species and reducing fishing pressure on the most commonly sought-after catches. Saltwater Fish Life List: Can you catch all 70 species? Saltwater Reel Big Fish: Recognition for extraordinary-sized catches. Saltwater Grand Slams: Earn rewards for catching three specific fish in 24 hours. Join the Triple Threat Club and earn even more prizes (including a long sleeve performance fishing shirt and more) by participating in all three programs. Anglers must qualify for each of the three programs to be eligible. FWC also manages the Florida Saltwater Fishing Records program. Link for more information: CatchaFloridaMemory.com

IN THIS ISSUE Commission meeting – May Flounder Stone crab State Reef Fish Survey Red snapper – Gulf Gag – Gulf Snook – Atlantic Amberjack – Gulf Bay scallops 2020 Lionfish Challenge Bluefish FLCoralCrew FWC needs your feedback Catch a Florida Memory Events STATE SEASON UPDATES June - July State waters are from shore to 9 nautical miles in the Gulf and from shore to 3 nautical miles in the Atlantic.   June 1 – Snook (Atlantic) closes June 1 – Gag grouper (Gulf, excluding Franklin-Taylor) opens June 1 – Amberjack (Gulf) closes June 11 – Red snapper (Gulf) opens June 15 – Bay scallops (Dixie and part of Taylor) opens July 1 – Gag grouper (Franklin-Taylor) closes July 1 – Blue land crab closes July 1 – Bay scallops (Franklin-NW Taylor & Levy-Hernando) opens July 17-26 – Bay scallops (Pasco) open July 26 – Red snapper (Gulf) closes July 29-30 – Spiny lobster mini season Willie Barnes is excited about his whiting catch. EVENTS June - July  COVID-19 update: Our top priorities are the health and safety of Floridians and visitors. Look for more information on upcoming events here in the future. June 2 – Flounder virtual workshop June 4 – Flounder virtual workshop June 16 – Stone crab virtual workshop June 18 – Stone crab virtual workshop SOCIAL SALTWATER Congratulations to our first Lionfish Challenge submission and qualifier! Danielle Pierone submitted her harvest on 5/22! She didn't waste any time! Congrats Danielle!! We have already had a bunch of submissions and qualifiers entered into our Mini-Challenge! We are so excited for this year's Challenge! (The photo is Danielle's submission of her 20 qualifying fish) View this post Visit us on social media at. Facebook/CatchaFLMemory Facebook/FWCReefRangers Facebook/MyFWC Youtube: MyFWC.com/SaltwaterFishing Contact: 850-487-0554 or marine@myfwc.com Get the Marine Fisheries Monthly Newsletter via email at MyFWC.com by clicking on “Sign up for updates”

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