The purpose of these workshops is to solicit public input on possible changes to the Commission’s tarpon rules (Chapter 68B-32, F.A.C.) and bonefish rules (Chapter 68B-34, F.A.C.). Specifically, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ...

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Marine Fisheries

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission announces public meetings to which all persons are invited.
DATE AND TIME: April 1, 2013, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (EDT).
PLACE: Fish and Wildlife Research Institute, 100 Eighth Ave. S.E., Karen A. Steidinger Auditorium, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
DATE AND TIME: April 2, 2013, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (EDT).
PLACE: IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum, 300 Gulf Stream Way, Dania Beach, FL 33004
DATE AND TIME: April 3, 2013, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (EDT).
PLACE: City of Key Colony Beach – City Hall Building, City Hall, Auditorium, Mile Marker 53.5, 600 W. Ocean Drive, Key Colony Beach, FL 33051
DATE AND TIME: April 8, 2013, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. (EDT) (5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. CDT).
PLACE: Statewide webinar and telephone conference call. Webinar: http://fwc.adobeconnect.com/mfm/. Voice-only access – contact [e-mail] or [phone]. More information about how to participate in the webinar or conference call will be available on FWC website prior to the webinar date: http://www.myfwc.com/fishing/saltwater/rulemaking/workshops/. People interested in participating may also contact Carly Canion at [phone] for more information.
GENERAL SUBJECT MATTER TO BE CONSIDERED: The purpose of these workshops is to solicit public input on possible changes to the Commission’s tarpon rules (Chapter 68B-32, F.A.C.) and bonefish rules (Chapter 68B-34, F.A.C.). Specifically, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will be gathering public comments on a proposal to make tarpon and bonefish catch and release only throughout Florida’s state and federal waters. Possible provisions of the proposal include eliminating the allowance for a tarpon bag limit and replacing it with an allowance for harvest or possession of a single tarpon in conjunction with a tarpon tag only for the purpose of pursuing an International Game Fish Association (IGFA) record, limiting the fishing gears allowed for use when targeting tarpon to hook and line only, creating stricter reporting requirements for any tarpon tag purchased, extending existing and proposed tarpon regulations into federal waters, and eliminating the existing bonefish tournament exemption permit that allows registered tournament anglers to possess a bonefish for the purposes of transporting it to the tournament scale. The proposal also includes an allowance for temporary possession of both tarpon and bonefish for the purposes of photography, measurement, weighing, or collecting scientific samples.
A copy of the agenda may be obtained by contacting: Jessica McCawley, 620 S. Meridian, Tallahassee, FL 32399, [phone].
Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 5 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: The ADA Coordinator, [phone]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, [phone] (TDD) or [phone] (Voice).
For more information, you may contact: Jessica McCawley, 620 S. Meridian, Tallahassee, FL 32399, [phone].