The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has expanded the Gulf Reef Fish Survey statewide

 The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has expanded the Gulf Reef Fish Survey statewide.

Registering for the survey became mandatory in 2015 for fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico targeting most reef fish including red snapper, black and red grouper, gray triggerfish, and lesser and greater amberjack. 

The survey was designed to help the FWC get a clearer picture of how many people are targeting reef fish and what fishermen are seeing on the water.

The survey has now been expanded to include Monroe County and the Atlantic Coast.

Starting July 1st, if you are fishing for or harvesting popular reef fish, such as red snapper, on a private recreational vessel anywhere in Florida, you will be required to get the State Reef Fish Angler designation.

This includes fishermen who are 65 and older.

Each month, a group of State Reef Fish Anglers will be mailed a short survey about their fishing trips.

If you already have the Gulf Reef Fish Angler designation, you do not need to sign up as a State Reef Fish Angler until your Gulf Reef Fish Angler designation expires, even if you are fishing off the Atlantic coast.

You can sign up on-line at https://gooutdoorsflorida.com/

You can also sign up in person at tackle shops, sporting goods stores and your local tax collector’s office.

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