FWC APPROVES RULES TO CLARIFY TOTAL LENGTH FISH MEASUREMENT

December 1, 2005
CONTACT: Lee Schlesinger (850) 487-0554

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) today approved a series of rules to clarify and standardize how anglers should measure the total length of various saltwater finfish.

The new rules specify that the “total length” of saltwater fish, such as red drum, spotted sea trout and snook, should be measured by determining the straight line distance from the most forward point of the head with the mouth closed, to the farthest tip of the tail with the tail compressed or squeezed together, while the fish is lying on its side.

However, there is no change to the way the “fork length” of saltwater fish, such as Spanish mackerel, pompano, and cobia, should be measured. Fork length measurements are considered to be easily understood by fishermen and do not need further clarification.

Another new rule changes measurement for gray triggerfish from total length to fork length to be consistent with the way this species is measured in federal waters.

The goal of these rules is to provide a standard measurement procedure for the total length of saltwater fish that is understood by resident and visiting anglers and that may be uniformly enforced by officers in the field.

These rules take effect July 1, 2006.

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