Conservation
Environmental and waterway news.
Latest in Conservation
Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, KeysKeeper, and the Lower Keys Guides Association Urge the FWC to Make Barracuda a Top Priority
Recently there has been a slow but steady realization by many South Florida fisherman that the Keys barracuda population is in decline. As a result, Bonefish and Tarpon Trust, KeysKeeper, and the Lower Keys Guides Association are teaming up to urge the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to make barracuda a top priority on their list.
The Other Blue Crab
The popularity of land crabs as a tasty meal and the loss of habitat to development have significantly impacted their population numbers. The practice of catching them just as they are heading to deposit their eggs in the ocean, the worst time to harvest, has increased to the point that it has prompted the Florida Fish & Wildlife Commission to issue a set of rules to protect these colorful crabs during their most vulnerable period.
Florida Alters Regs To Combat Lionfish
Florida has made several regulatory changes to better combat the growing lionfish problem. Introduced in the late 1980s, lionfish populations have boomed in recent years, negatively impacting native wildlife and habitat.
Exuma Cays Park Fees Increasing
For those headed to Exuma Cays Land & Sea Park (ECLSP) in the Bahamas, here’s your heads-up that the fee structure for visitors has changed.Nonnative fish provide fishing alternatives; some with no bag limits
Florida freshwater anglers target at least 25 species of native fishes. Most are within a 45-minute drive of anyone wanting to wet a line. In addition to those, the free Florida Big Catch angler recognition program (BigCatchFlorida.com) features six species of exotic fishes from other countries and several fish species that expanded their ranges from farther north.
