RHAs off the Docket, but Interesting Saltwater Fishing Management Topics on the Agenda for the May FWC Commission |

For those keeping track of such matters, the topic of Restricted Hunting Areas (RHAs) is not on the May agenda for the FWC Commission meeting on the 12th & 13th. I have it on good authority that it is expected to be addressed during the August assembly.

That leaves the May agenda low on hunting-related items.

Some fascinating subjects in the saltwater fishing world, though, which is always worth paying attention to as that world is influenced by numerous stakeholders and is a fair barometer of the mindset of the current Commission.

There’s the potential re-opening of snook, redfish, and trout along the SW coast. Staff has presented that fish stocks are doing well, overall, and have provided options for returning to a limited harvest of these species. This is being opposed, however, by some guides and conservation associations who support them. I’ve e-mailed my support for a return to a limited harvest; frankly, the only practical differences to me between these species and a fish such as a jack crevalle are edibility and vanity.

Then there’s the Goliath Grouper. Recreational anglers have been requesting a limited harvest on these big grouper for years now. At this hearing, staff will provide a review and discussion of the Goliath Grouper and will seek Commission direction for the fish’s management in state waters, including whether to prepare a draft rule for limited harvest. Recreational divers and those representing them have been opposed to any killing of these fish. At the very least, a slot limit should be studied.

Finally, staff and invited guests will discuss topics related to interactions between fishermen and sharks in Florida waters, including reviewing the results of a recently conducted survey that focused on angler experiences with predators when fishing. Shark fishing tends to be a passionate subject among anglers, divers, beach-goers, and animal rights groups – not to mention social media chores.

For a full review of the agenda, please click here.

Here’s the news release from FWC, including information on submitting public comments.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will meet virtually May 12 and 13 beginning at 9 a.m. ET each day. The meeting will be held virtually using communications media technology due to COVID-19 (Coronavirus) social distancing guidelines. The virtual link for this meeting will be provided on MyFWC.com closer to the meeting date.

The FWC is committed to providing opportunity for public input. To accommodate as much input as possible from those participating in the meeting, the Chairman reserves the right to designate the amount of time given to a topic or speaker, including time donation to other speakers. See agenda for the total time limits for each item. Public comment will be taken on a first call/first serve basis.

The Commission is also offering the opportunity for stakeholders to provide their comments on agenda items in advance. Advanced comments should be submitted no later than Friday, May 7. Those written comments can be submitted via a web form on the FWC meeting agenda website page. If you would like to provide your written comments by mail, send them to:

FWC Commissioners
620 South Meridian Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399

For the full May 12-13 agenda, links to background reports, and ways to participate, go to MyFWC.com/About and click on “The Commission” and “Commission Meetings.”

Updates will be provided at Twitter.com/MyFWC (@MyFWC) and you can sign up for news releases at MyFWC.com.

(Ledger hunting correspondent Ian Nance can be reached at inance880@aol.com. Follow on Facebook @PolkOutdoors; Twitter @Good_Hunt; and Instagram @inance880)