FWC HOLDS SUMMITS ON FRESHWATER FISHERIES

September 19, 2005
CONTACT: Dennis Renfro (352) 742-6438

A major effort to reorganize the way Florida manages its freshwater fisheries is the topic of a unique summit being hosted in Sebring by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The Sebring meeting will take place on Saturday evening, Sept. 24, at 6:30 p.m., at the Sebring Civic Center, 355 W. Center Ave.

Through this summit, the FWC is inviting stakeholders to organize and team with the agency to help design and implement management plans that will have a major effect on Florida’s freshwater fisheries. Anyone interested in the future of freshwater resources in Florida is encouraged to attend this important interaction with FWC fishery professionals.

“An online survey recently conducted by the Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management was the first step in establishing communications with anglers and other resource users, enabling us to document concerns and determine attitudes about our future direction,” said Dennis Renfro, FWC Summit Coordinator.

The response to the survey was overwhelming with over 1,500 constituents participating. Results from this survey were used to shape the format and content of six summits soon to be held in various locations around the state where survey responses were greatest.

“In the past, stakeholders gave input and FWC staff implemented a plan. In the new process stakeholders will partner with the agency to develop and implement plans jointly,” said Dave McElveen, FWC Planning Coordinator.

Sebring hosts the first of six zone meetings throughout the state that start in Sept. 2005 and continuing through Jan. 2006. All meetings are scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. A complete list of meeting dates and places follows.

For results of the freshwater fishing survey, or for more information on freshwater fishing in Florida, visit MyFWC.com and click on “freshwater fishing”.

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