FWC to Hold Public Workshops on Gulf Red Snapper Season

At its meeting Feb. 5 in Jacksonville, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) directed staff to host several workshops prior to the April Commission meeting in an effort to gather additional stakeholder input on the 2015 recreational red snapper season in Gulf state waters.

The 2015 season preferred by the Commissioners that will be discussed at workshops would start the Saturday before Memorial Day (May 23) and run through July 12, resume for all of Labor Day weekend (Sept. 5-7) and finish with Saturdays and Sundays throughout September and October, with the season ending Nov. 1. This proposed season would be 70 days.

The 2014 season began the Saturday before Memorial Day and remained open through July 14 (a total of 52 days).

Once finalized, a list of workshop locations, dates and times will be publicized in a news release and online at MyFWC.com/Fishing by clicking on “Saltwater,” “Rulemaking” and “Public Workshops.”

Staff will present results from the workshops to the Commission at its April meeting in Tallahassee. The Commission will take final action on setting the 2015 Gulf red snapper state season during the April meeting.

Red snapper is a popular species that has a strong economic impact for many coastal communities throughout Florida.

For more information, visit MyFWC.com/About and click on “The Commission” and “Commission Meetings.” For information on Gulf red snapper, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater,” “Recreational Regulations” and “Gulf Snapper.”