FWC CONCLUDES FEB. 2-4 MEETING IN PANAMA CITY BEACH
February 4, 2005
Contacts: (wildlife and aquatic issues) Henry Cabbage (850) 488-4676
(marine issues) Lee Schlesinger (850) 487-0554
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) wrapped up a busy three-day meeting in Panama City Beach today.
Wildlife and freshwater fisheries rule-making dominated Wednesday’s (Feb. 2) agenda. The Commission approved new rules relating to hunting and wildlife issues that:
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Ban importation of deer or elk carcasses from areas known to be infected with chronic wasting disease (CWD) and make it illegal to possess a CWD-infected carcass. Possession of boned out meat from such areas is not prohibited by this action. |
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Establish new procedures for application, selection and issuance of quota hunt permits, antlerless deer permits and special-opportunity hunt permits. |
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Modify requirements for issuance of antlerless deer permits issued for crop depredation control on agricultural lands. |
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Establish a spring turkey season in Holmes County. |
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Allow the lead managing agency or landowner of a wildlife management area (WMA) or wildlife and environmental area (WEA) to issue access-related permits not related to taking fish and wildlife during non-hunting periods. |
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Modify specific area regulations for WMAs to cover a variety of issues including establishing, removing or changing hunting seasons, bag limits, activities not related to taking fish or wildlife, possession of dogs and public or vehicular access within a WMA. |
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Prohibit hunting on a portion of Lake Seminole adjacent to a camping area. |
The Commission approved a freshwater fishing rule that eliminates the minimum length limit on black crappie on Lake Monroe. The change will not take effect until July 1. Additionally, the Commission modified fishing regulations on Eglin Air Force Base WMA and established guidelines for the Fish and Wildlife Research Institute Grants Program and the State Wildlife Grants Program.
The Commission also approved freshwater fishing rules to regulate the sale and transportation of fish and the establishment and operation of aquaculture facilities. The changes consolidate and simplify Commission rules and reduce duplication of regulatory roles between the FWC and the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.
Staff presented a preliminary report on the deer-dog registration program, and Commissioners approved a proposal to ask the Florida Legislature to increase penalties for violations of rules relating to deer-hunting with dogs and hunting with a suspended or revoked license.
The Commission wrapped up Wednesday’s meeting by directing staff to evaluate the prospect of allowing crossbows during archery and/or muzzleloading gun seasons.
Thursday’s (Feb. 3) agenda began with a review and discussion of draft rules to revise the FWC imperiled species listing process. Commissioners approved the draft rules and directed staff to advertise these rules for a final public hearing at the April 2005 Commission meeting. Staff also provided an update on the comprehensive wildlife conservation strategy.
Commissioners then moved on to address items relating to marine fisheries management, including approving a rule to establish a two-fish-per-vessel possession limit for permit and pompano larger than 20 inches in fork length in state and federal waters. This rule takes effect July 1.
The Commission also approved rules to establish numerous marine fisheries regulations (that are currently located in Florida Statutes) as FWC rules, and effective July 1, to incorporate constitutional and statutory net-fishing provisions into FWC rules and create net-measurement procedures and net-construction specifications. Commissioners also agreed to form a net working group with commercial fishermen to evaluate and test new developments in net gear technology.
A draft rule was proposed by the Commission that would cap the number of participants in the commercial blue crab fishery and manage the number of traps used by each fisherman. The FWC will hold a final public hearing on this proposed rule during its April 14-15 meeting in Tallahassee.
In other marine fisheries action, the Commission directed staff to develop a draft rule to require black sea bass traps to be marked and to hold public workshops on Feb. 9 in Steinhatchee and on Feb. 10 in Crawfordville on this proposal. Commissioners also agreed to hold a final public hearing in April on a proposed rule amendment to change the Apalachicola Bay winter oyster harvest season from Oct. 1 – June 30 to Sept. 1 – May 31, and the summer season from July 1 – Sept. 30 to June 1 – Aug. 31.
In addition, the Commission directed staff to develop a draft rule for consideration in April that would specify that size limits for marine fish expressed in total length be determined by measuring the fish with its mouth closed and with its tail squeezed or compressed. The Commission also discussed various federal marine fisheries management issues.
Also, Commissioners directed staff to conduct public workshops on proposed changes to the Uniform Waterways Markers in Florida rule.
Friday’s (Feb. 4) agenda included discussion of possible changes to the agenda-planning process and an update on the Wildlife Foundation of Florida.
The next FWC meeting is set for April 14-15 in Tallahassee.
KDJ/CR
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