South Florida Barracuda Conservation Proposed

Photo By Andy Blackledge

South Florida Barracuda Conservation Proposed

At its June meeting in Sarasota, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) gave initial approval to several barracuda conservation measures after hearing concerns about potential declines in barracuda populations.
These proposed changes will come back before the commission at its September meeting in Weston for final approval. If approved at that time, changes will apply in state and federal waters off Collier, Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Martin counties only, where the majority of barracuda population concerns have been voiced, and will include:
• Recreational and commercial slot limit of 15 to 36 inches
• Recreational daily bag limit of two fish per person
• Commercial daily trip limit of 20 fish per person
Because there are no species-specific regulations for barracuda, they are currently subject only to general statewide regulations, which include a default recreational bag limit of two fish or 100 pounds, whichever is greater. There are no commercial trip limits and no regulations in federal waters.
A full stock assessment has not been conducted on this species, and the population size is not known. However, there has been a declining trend in the number of barracuda observed during underwater surveys conducted in the Keys during recent years, as well as a declining trend in the average size of those barracuda.
A slot limit would eliminate harvest pressure on the youngest, more vulnerable fish, while also conserving the largest fish, which are responsible for the vast majority of reproduction. Bag and trip limits would reduce overall harvest and leave more fish to replenish the population.
For more information, visit MyFWC.com/Commission and select “Commission Meetings” then the “Agenda.”