FWC gives preliminary approval to 2013 Gag grouper season

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission unanimously decided this week on a draft 2013 Gulf of Mexico gag grouper recreational season.

After discussing several options and hearing public testimony from 26 people, Commissioners chose an option that will make most Gulf state waters consistent with the current federal season, with the exception of a four-county region including Franklin and Wakulla Counties.

That would make next year’s gag grouper season much like this year’s with much of the state following the proposed federal season from July 1st through end sometime in November or early December.

The FWC proposal, however, includes an April 1st through June 30th season in state waters off the Taylor, Jefferson, Wakulla and Franklin counties.

Fishing for gag would not be allowed off the four-county region during the July 1 through November federal season.

The FWC said they could separate the four-county region because it had an insignificant impact to the resource but gag grouper fishing had a significant impact to the economy and the culture of this area.

A final decision on the 2013 season will be made in February.

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