FWC sets 2013 gag grouper season for state waters in the Gulf of Mexico

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has set the 2013 recreational gag grouper season for Gulf of Mexico state waters.

The season in most state waters is slated to start July 1st and end December 3rd.

State waters off the coast of Taylor, Jefferson, Wakulla and Franklin counties, including waters of the Steinhatchee River, Apalachicola Bay and Indian Pass, will have a gag grouper open season of April 1st through June 30th.

The four-county region will not be open during the July 1 through December 3rd season.

The Commission selected the April-to-June season for the four-county region to allow fishing opportunities for private recreational anglers in our area when gag grouper are closer to shore and can be safely accessed by smaller boats. 

Because it is the least densely populated region of Florida’s Gulf Coast, fishing for gag grouper is relatively low in these counties.

By replacing the July 1-through-Dec. 3 season with a shorter but more desirable season in the Big Bend, the Commission said it hopes to balance the economic and social needs of our region with the conservation needs of gag grouper. 

http://www.oysterradio.com e-mail manager@oysterradio.com with comments