New laws will shield Broodfish
The Commissioners with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) authorized new guidelines to assist with conservation efforts of the Gulf striped bass (Morone saxatilis) inhabitants within the decrease Ochlockonee River in Wakulla County earlier this month at their December Commission (November thirtieth -December 1st) assembly. For many of the nation, you normally consider the Northeast or large reservoirs with Striped Bass however there’s a restricted inhabitants of them within the Gulf of Mexico truly.
Through their analysis, the FWC fee discovered that there was a excessive charge of leisure harvest of the broodfish (breeding measurement) Gulf striped bass. Seeing that knowledge the employees put ahead a brand new rule proposal to vary the harvest size restrict on the gulf striped bass. The present every day harvest restrict of three fish per day was nonetheless left in place for striped bass. Instead, the size restrict was modified, the place there is no such thing as a minimal size restrict for gulf striped bass anymore. But you may solely maintain one fish over 24 inches a day in your every day restrict of three fish. This was executed to restrict what number of giant brood fish are taken out of the water. Due to the restricted measurement of the inhabitants of gulf striped bass, they’re very depending on inventory enhancement utilizing hatchery manufacturing stockings and safety of the brood inventory of larger-sized striped bass.
“This rule change is a positive step for Gulf striped bass, an important sport fish in Florida,” mentioned FWC Commissioner Gary Lester. “We appreciate staff working with stakeholders on these ongoing conservation efforts for the future of this fishery.”
Staff held public conferences with native anglers to debate analysis and administration choices for this fishery at Lake Talquin in May 2022 and an extra assembly in November to debate the rule language. Anglers have been supportive of utilizing regulation adjustments as a administration software. Further stakeholder engagement will happen on this rule.
