News Release

FWC sets meeting for Jacksonville Sept. 17-19

September 3, 2008
Contacts: (inland issues) Henry Cabbage, 850-488-8843;
(marine issues) Lee Schlesinger, 850-487-0554

• Agenda (with links to background reports) 

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will meet at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront hotel in Jacksonville Sept. 17-19.

On Sept. 17 (Wednesday), the Commission will vote on several new rules.  

The first proposed rule would limit the number of freshwater turtles that may be harvested each day to a maximum of five per person. FWC biologists believe that would help protect freshwater turtle populations while the agency develops a comprehensive management strategy for wildlife species that are not regulated under current rules.

Other proposals, including prohibiting waterfowl hunting from or within 30 yards of any permanent duck blind on lakes Miccosukee, Iamonia, Carr and Jackson in Leon and Jefferson counties also are on the agenda for final approval.

New procedures and standards for people wishing to adopt nonnative animals at FWC-authorized pet amnesty day events will come up for consideration to help prevent illegal release of nonnative fish and wildlife.

The Commission also will hear presentations on proposed rules for captive wildlife regulations.
Other issues on Wednesday’s agenda include review and discussion of major proposed rule changes to wildlife and fisheries regulations for 2009-10. Commissioners also will hear staff recommendations for improving Florida’s quota hunt system for public hunting on wildlife management areas.

On Thursday, the Commission will consider proposed changes on boating restrictions in Martin and Okeechobee counties.

The rest of the agenda on Thursday will involve marine issues. The Commission will consider changes that would make greater amberjack and gray triggerfish rules in Gulf of Mexico state waters consistent with new regulations in Gulf federal waters. The proposed rules would increase the recreational minimum harvest size for greater amberjack from 28 to 30 inches fork length and increase the commercial and recreational minimum harvest size for gray triggerfish from 12 to 14 inches fork length in Gulf state waters.

Commissioners will also review and discuss proposed federal regulations regarding the commercial and recreational harvest of several species of grouper in the Gulf, and grouper, vermilion snapper and red snapper in the Atlantic.  They will also review and discuss specific applications of Individual Fishing Quotas for the commercial harvest of red snapper and groupers in the Gulf, and Gulf and Atlantic tilefish.

In addition, the Commission will review and discuss scheduled actions for a wide range of federal Gulf and Atlantic fishery management issues.

Friday’s session will focus on legislative proposals for the 2009 session of the Florida Legislature. Those proposals include the agency’s budget requests and several policy changes.

The meeting will convene at 8:30 a.m. all three days.

FWC meetings are open to the public, and anyone requiring special accommodations to participate in the meeting should advise the FWC at least five days prior to Sept. 17 by contacting the FWC’s Office of Human Resources at 850-488-6411.  If you are hearing- or speech-impaired, contact the FWC using the Florida Relay Service at 1-800-955-8771 (TDD) or 1-800-955-8770 (voice).

The full agenda is available online at MyFWC.com/commission/2008/Sep08/index.htm.