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Florida Shoreline Anglers Need To Buy License By Aug. 1

Tallahassee, FL-(FishNLand.com)- Florida’s resident saltwater anglers who fish from shore or a structure affixed to shore will need to buy a $7.50 (plus administrative and handling fees) shoreline fishing license by Aug. 1, unless they have a regular resident saltwater fishing license.

The new license applies only to Florida resident saltwater anglers who fish from shore. Resident anglers may prefer to purchase the regular recreational saltwater license that covers them, no matter where they fish for saltwater species in Florida.

Florida has always required nonresidents to have a license when fishing from shore, and they will still need to purchase a regular nonresident saltwater fishing license.

The new shoreline saltwater fishing license for residents goes on sale July 15. It provides all of the same exemptions as a regular license, including senior citizens, children, disabled people who meet certain qualifications, active-duty military personnel while home on leave, and anglers who fish from a licensed pier.

In addition, the shoreline license requirement includes two new exemptions:

* anglers drawing food stamps, temporary cash assistance or Medicaid; and
* anglers fishing in their home counties who use cane poles or other gear that does not depend on mechanical retrieval.

At the request of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the Florida Legislature passed the new license requirement to head off a federal license requirement that will go into effect Jan. 1, 2010, and will have a $15-$25 fee beginning in 2011. Florida’s new shoreline license exempts this state’s anglers from the federal license requirement.

Several hunting, fishing and conservation organizations requested other permit fee changes, which do not take effect until July 2010. They include increases in:

* the state waterfowl stamp, from the current $3 to $5;
* in the resident turkey permit, from $5 to $10;
* the nonresident turkey permit, from $100 to $125;
* the wildlife management area permit for hunting, fishing and other recreational uses, from $25 to $30;
* the limited-entry or special-opportunity hunt fee, from $100 per day to $150 per day and $250 per week to $300 per week, as determined by FWC Commissioners;
* the snook permit, from $2 to $10; and
* the lobster permit, from $2 to $5.

Also, new laws create a $5 annual deer permit (in addition to the current hunting license requirement for deer hunters) and allow the agency to charge up to $5 per day for non-hunting and non-fishing recreation on certain wildlife management areas.

The FWC will evaluate areas where it is the lead manager to determine where to charge the fees and how much to charge. In addition, the state will use up to 10 percent of the hunting and sport-fishing fees to promote those sports, with emphasis on youth participation.

For more information about outdoor recreation and FWC programs, go to MyFWC.com.

Filed under: Conservation News, Politics of Fishing by FishNLand 1 Comment »

Florida Governor, Cabinet proclaim June 27 – July 3 as Dive Flag Awareness Week

Dive flags must be displayed at all times while divers and snorkelers are in the water. (FWC photo)

Tallahassee, FL -(FishNLand.com)- In the past five years, 22 divers in Florida’s waters have been killed or injured after a boat struck them. Many of these incidents could have been avoided had the boaters been on the lookout for divers-down flags, or if the divers had properly displayed the dive flags to alert boaters to their presence.

Today, Gov. Charlie Crist and the Florida Cabinet passed a resolution proclaiming June 27 – July 3 as Dive Flag Awareness Week.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), the U.S. Coast Guard and their marine law enforcement partners support the resolution.

Lt. David Bingham, an FWC watch commander stationed in south Florida, became very familiar with diving dangers after investigating several injuries and fatalities.

“Tens of thousands of residents and visitors enjoy the great snorkeling and diving opportunities Florida has to offer,” Bingham said. “Obviously, divers don’t want to be struck by a boat, and boaters don’t want to strike anyone either.”

Bingham conducts an annual “Wave the Flag” enforcement detail targeting dive-flag-related violations in south Florida. He is on a mission to promote dive-flag awareness and is encouraged by the proclamation.

“We want folks to enjoy diving without having to look over their shoulder wondering if they are going to be hit,” Bingham said. “It’s time folks pay attention to what a divers-down flag means and to ‘steer clear,’ and divers need to make sure they present their flags according to the laws.”

A divers-down flag used on a vessel must be displayed whenever divers or snorkelers are in the water. The divers-down flag is red with a white diagonal stripe. It must be at least 20 inches by 24 inches and flown at a high point, observable 360 degrees around the vessel. A divers-down flag towed on a float must be at least 12 inches by 12 inches. It must have a wire or other stiffener to hold it open.

Divers and snorkelers must make every reasonable effort to stay close to their flag. When they exit the water, the divers-down flag must be taken down.

“It is imperative that divers and snorkelers remove the divers-down flag once they are out of the water or, otherwise, the presence of the flag becomes meaningless to boaters,” Bingham said. “The display of the flag should never be used for any other reason than what it is intended – to indicate there are persons in the water. Using it for any other reason is dangerous and unlawful.”

All vessels must make a reasonable effort to stay at least 100 feet away from a divers-down flag within a river, inlet or channel. In open waters, vessels must make a reasonable effort to stay 300 feet away from a divers-down flag. Within those prescribed distances, a vessel may operate but must be at idle speed.

“With bay scallop and spiny lobster season just around the corner, the FWC, our marine law enforcement partners, the governor and the cabinet members really want to emphasize the importance of engaging all safety precautions, including the use of divers-down flags,” Bingham said. “If you’re diving, display a flag. If you’re boating, look for the flag.”

Filed under: Fishing Boat News, Politics of Fishing by FishNLand No Comments »

Florida Gulf Red Snapper Season On Hold Until June 1st, 2009

Red Snapper

Florida - -(TheOutdoorWire.com)- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds anglers that the recreational harvest season for red snapper in Gulf of Mexico waters has changed. The open season now takes place from June 1 through September 30.

Previously, the recreational red snapper harvest season opened on April 15 in Gulf state waters, and the season in Gulf federal waters opened on April 21. Now, the recreational harvest season for red snapper in all Gulf waters off Florida does not open until June 1.

Researchers consider Gulf red snapper to be overfished (in the past) and undergoing more overfishing now. A shorter fishing season will reduce the harvest of Gulf red snapper and help rebuild the fishery’s population.

More information regarding the management of Gulf red snapper is available at MyFWC.com/RULESANDREGS/Saltwater_Regulations_RedSnapperIndex.htm.

About:
FWC envisions a future where the people who live in or visit Florida care for and contribute to the stability of our fish and wildlife resources and the quality of our environment. FWC will be the recognized leader in the science and management of Florida’s fish and wildlife. Residents and visitors will fully support and fund efforts to maintain the resources that provide recreational opportunities for fishing, hunting, wildlife viewing and boating.

Filed under: Fish and Game by admin No Comments »