CJ Sweetman began working for the Division of Marine Fisheries Management in May 2019 as the regional biologist representing the Florida Keys and as part of the federal fisheries management team. Anglers must qualify for each of the three programs to be eligible.įWC also manages the Florida Saltwater Fishing Records program.ĭr. 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. Saltwater Grand Slams: Earn rewards for catching three specific fish in 24 hours.Saltwater Reel Big Fish: Recognition for extraordinary-sized catches.Saltwater Fish Life List: Can you catch all 70 species?.Have you caught a Florida memory? Submit photos of your saltwater catches to earn rewards for various achievements while targeting a diversity of species and reducing fishing pressure on the most commonly sought-after catches. Submit saltwater catches and earn rewards Ty Nopens started his Catch a Florida Memory Saltwater Life List with this gray snapper caught off of Big Pine Key. Report whale sightings and collisions immediately to the U.S.Keep at least 500 yards from right whales (it's the law).Use the Whale Alert app to know if whales have recently been sighted or reported in your area.Avoid boating in the dark, when visibility is poor, or in rough seas.Post a lookout! Watch for black objects, whitewater, and splashes.Go slow, which may give you time to react.Protect your boat and crew by doing the following: With fewer than 350 left, right whales are one of the world's most endangered large whale species. These endangered species are extremely hard to spot and collisions have caused costly damage to boats, put passengers and crew at risk, and injured and killed right whales. If you plan to fish or boat off the Atlantic Coast of Florida this winter, please be on the lookout for North Atlantic Right Whales who are calving in our waters from November through April. Federal fishery management updates: The Commission discussed outcomes of recent meetings of the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council and the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council.Shrimp: As the third and final phase of a long-term project to update shrimp regulations, the Commission approved a proposal that, if approved at a future meeting, would change how shrimp are managed in Florida, including increasing recreational access in the Big Bend, allowing commercial food shrimpers to use gear necessary to produce the highest quality frozen shrimp, and clarifying and updating regulations.ĭiscussions (no decisions were made on these items):.The Commission moved forward with a proposal that, if approved at a future meeting, would reduce the recreational bag limit from 10 to five dolphinfish and the private recreational vessel limit from 60 to 30 dolphinfish in Atlantic state waters, and clarify that captain and crew are prohibited from retaining a daily bag and possession limit statewide. Dolphinfish: Recreational anglers in southeast Florida and the Keys have expressed concerns about declines in size and abundance of dolphinfish in Atlantic waters.Also, people who have diamondback terrapins as pets before March 1, 2022, can legally keep these animals but must obtain a no-cost permit.ĭraft proposal (these items will be brought back to a future meeting for final decision): In addition, beginning March 1, 2022, the collection of diamondback terrapins from the wild will be prohibited with exception of collection for scientific research with a permit.
Diamondback terrapin and blue crab traps: The Commission approved several diamondback terrapin conservation measures, including requiring all recreational blue crab traps to have rigid entrances no larger than 2 x 6 inches at the narrowest point or a 2 x 6-inch bycatch reduction device (BRD) installed by March 1, 2023.15 and 16 meeting in Destin.ĭecision making (regulation changes were made on these topics): The FWC Commission listened to public testimony on and discussed several marine fisheries management items at the Dec. Commission meeting – December Marine fisheries items