Conservation

Environmental and waterway news.

Latest in Conservation

FWC Updates

The latest updates from Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission relevant to anglers, boaters and outdoor enthusiasts in the areas of Hobe Sound, Stuart, Fort Pierce, Vero Beach and Sebastian.

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.

Popular This Month

Apalachicola Bay Reopens to Oyster Harvest for First Time Since 2020

Apalachicola Bay will reopen to recreational and commercial oyster harvesting from Jan. 1 through Feb. 28, marking the first harvest season since the bay closed in 2020. The reopening follows years of restoration work and more than $38 million invested to rebuild oyster reefs and support a sustainable fishery.

Read The January Issue!

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How to Catch Bluefish, Bigger Bluefish, and More Bluefish

Bluefish, Pomatomus saltatrix, are a one-of-a-kind fish. They are the only living fish species in their family, which means nothing else in the ocean looks, tastes or fights like a bluefish.

Flounder Fishing Tips

Here are some tips on catching flounder that some might not have tried. The technique I am about to share has some benefits over the more mainstream methods. It is also so simple and easy to use. I rig my son’s rod this way.