Conservation

Environmental and waterway news.

Latest in Conservation

Public requests for barracuda conservation measures in south Florida receive initial approval by FWC

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has given initial approval to several barracuda conservation measures after hearing concerns from various south Florida stakeholder groups about potential declines in barracuda populations
Land-based shark explorers.

Take 10 lionfish, get an extra lobster during lobster mini-season

At its June meeting in Sarasota, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved a new and exciting opportunity that will encourage divers to remove invasive lionfish by allowing them to take one extra spiny lobster each day during the two-day sport season this summer (July 29-30) that they also harvest 10 lionfish.
Porcupine fish.

FWC Updates: June 2015

National Fishing and Boating Week, a national celebration of fishing and boating, take places the first week of June ever year. This year it’s June 6-14, 2015. It highlights the importance of recreational boating and fishing in enhancing peoples’ quality of life and preserving our country’s natural beauty.

Florida’s ocean and coastal future begins today

We must take action for the future of Florida’s ocean and coastal environments. Here are 8 things we MUST DO NOW: (1) Florida must stop all discharges of polluting freshwater from Lake Okeechobee to the St. Lucie River Estuary, Indian River Lagoon and Caloosahatchee River Estuary. These discharges cause lesions on fish, kill oyster reefs and seagrass habitat, cause diseases on sea turtles and bottlenose dolphin and bring harmful toxic algal blooms to the estuaries causing the Health Department to post warnings for “No Human Contact” to our coastal waters!
indian river

Indian River Lagoon Downward Spiral of Grass Loss

I’ll start off by saying that I hope everyone had an awesome 2014 full of tight lines and bent rods. I am hoping 2015 will be a repeat and hopefully better.
Manatee

Springtime Brings Close Encounters With Manatees

As springtime arrives, chances increase that manatees and boaters will have close encounters. Boaters can enjoy opportunities to observe one …

Popular This Month

Record-Breaking Catch: Weston Lands 153-Pound Alligator Gar on 2-Pound Line

On April 8, 2025, angler Art Weston reeled in an astonishing 153-pound alligator gar while fishing on Lake Livingston, TX

Pat Hutchinson Lands World Record Blue Catfish on Light Tackle

Pat Hutchinson set a new IGFA Women’s 3-kg (6 lb.) Line Class World Record with a 13.61-kilogram (30-pound) blue catfish caught on the James River in Virginia. The record-setting catfish struck her cut bait, and after a determined 22-minute battle, Pat successfully landed the fish. She weighed it on a certified scale before safely releasing it back into the river.

Big Trouble in Morehead City

There’s nothing quite like the Big Rock Blue Marlin Tournament, and the 2025 tournament reminded us all why it’s one …

You Weren’t Meant to Live in Traffic

If you’re someone who dreams in tides, lives for casting lines at sunrise, and feels most at home with salt …