Trout Limit

[silverking]

FWC ANNOUNCES RED DRUM PUBLIC WORKSHOPS

October 20, 2006
CONTACT: Lee Schlesinger (850) 487-0554

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) invites the public to participate in any of nine upcoming workshops regarding management of red drum (redfish) in Florida.

The FWC is seeking comment on its recent red drum stock assessment, which concluded that while the management goal of 30 percent escapement is on target. However, increasing fishing effort could cause the escapement rate to decline below 30 percent by the next assessment in 2009. Escapement is the percentage of fish that avoid harvest by fishers.

A red drum workgroup recently established by the FWC has developed several management recommendations, including narrowing the current 18-27 inches total length slot limit, applying a one-month closure and increasing the management goal to 40 percent escapement. The FWC also is seeking comment from interested persons on those recommendations.

Detailed management options and the workgroup recommendations will be presented at the workshops, which will take place 6-8 p.m. local time as follows:

Monday, Nov. 6
Old County Court House
2115 Second St.
Fort Myers
Tuesday, Nov. 7
Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
100 Eighth Ave. S.E.
Karen A. Steidinger Auditorium, Room #1005
St. Petersburg


Monday, Nov. 13
Gulf Coast Community College
5230 W. U.S. 98
Student Union East
2nd Floor Conference Room
Panama City
Wednesday, Nov. 15
Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
620 S. Meridian St.
Farris Bryant Building
2nd Floor Conference Room
Tallahassee


Thursday, Nov. 16
City Hall Council Chambers
123 N.W. Hwy. 19
Crystal River
Monday, Nov. 27
Jacksonville Public Library
303 N. Laura St.
Jacksonville


Tuesday, Nov. 28
Brevard Agricultural Center
3695 Lake Drive
Cocoa
Wednesday, Nov. 29
West Palm Beach Fishing Club
201 5th St. (Corner of 5th and N. Flagler)
West Palm Beach


Tuesday, Dec. 5
Monroe County Library
Mile Marker 81.5
U.S. 1 (Florida Bay side)
Islamorada


Information regarding the red drum workgroup and other material concerning red drum management in Florida is available online at MyFWC.com/marine/workgroups/index.html#Red_Drum. Contact Lee Schlesinger at (850) 487-0554 for information regarding the workshops.

[finniefish]

I can not find anything on the trout slot or bag limit being reconsidered but what I could see regarding redfish is that most individuals are supporting a new slot of 20 to 26 inches 1 fish limit with no closed season. The minutes from the FWC September meeting even has CCA suggesting a 26 inch max. There website makes no formal slot suggestions only escapement rates raised from 30 to 40%. I am in agreement that it needs to be discussed since there has been no changes to redfish rules in over 10 years. Not sure where I stand on the slot and if they close a month I just hope it ain't in February.