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23 February 2011
Posted in
General
Many anglers still feel that one is plenty! (photo: William Gates)
While some anglers voiced concern about the wisdom of doubling the bag limit in northern Florida counties, FWC commissioners Bryan Yablonski, Kathy Barco, and Rodney Barreto argued convincingly today to honor FWRI scientists' recommendation for historic Red Drum rule changes. In a lively debate they convinced Dwight Stephenson and 'Aligator' Ron Bergeron to swing the vote to allow an increase in bag limit for northern Florida regions, a statewide vessel limit of 8 fish, and other changes.
"Government has a tendency to keep what it gets, even if it has gotten too much," said Yablonski. "We don't want to do that." The draft rule proposed by the Commission will have a final public hearing in April. A statewide 8-fish boat limit and off-the-water possession limit changes are also part of the draft proposal.
"The redfish population has recovered from severe overfishing in the 1970s and 80s, and for the first time in 20 years we are suggesting a change in Red Drum regulations," said Jessica McCawley, FWC Marine Fisheries Management Administrator.
(Click Image To Enlarge)New Regions for Redfish - South Region will retain a one fish bag limit."With escapement levels as high as 70% (30% above targeted levels), this is one area where we can give back to anglers who have sacrificed so much to keep Florida fisheries healthy," said FWC Commissioner, Kathy Barco.
But not all anglers agree. "Giving back to the community is a good idea, but premature, in my opinion", said Capt Dave Lear, of Lear Charters - St. Marks. Lear said he'd like to see results of the 2011 assessment before making a change.
The majority of responding members in a Snook Foundation poll said leave regs as they are, and CCA and FL Guides reported the same opinion surveying their membership.
However, fishery biologists are confident that northern redfish populations can remain productive despite increased harvest by recreational anglers, and they will be monitoring the population closely. Anglers can help track redfish and other species' populations now, using the Angler Action program..
New Redfish Management Areas
The three management areas for red drum were chosen to match the three spotted seatrout regions in order to lessen confusion for anglers and law enforcement.
The NW area would include Escambia through Pasco counties and the NE area would include Nassau through Flagler counties. The southern areas would include Pinellas through Monroe counties on the west and Miami-Dade through Volusia counties on the east coast.
(Click Image To Enlarge)FWC commissioners voted to accept these additional changes to Red Drum rules Feb 23, 2011
History
The commercial harvest and sale of red drum was prohibited in 1989 due to severe overfishing. The current red drum recreational regulations in Florida are a slot limit of 18 to 27 inches total length and a bag limit of one per person per day. These two limits went into effect in 1989, after several years of emergency closings.There has not been a closed season for red drum since 1996. There has been an off-water possession limit of two red drum. This regulation was created in 1987 to aid enforcement of red drum regulations, and to limit the fishery, which was overfished at that time. The recommended change is to modify the language so that the possession (bag) limit only applies in fishing situations, not in homes for instance.
