The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), at its April 17 meeting near Tallahassee, moved forward unanimously with a proposal to make tarpon and bonefish catch-and-release-only fisheries.
The tarpon and bonefish catch-and-release-only proposal includes the following potential changes for management in state and federal waters off Florida:
The proposal will be brought back before the Commission for a final public hearing at its June meeting in Lakeland.
In a separate discussion, the Commission also reviewed how gear is being used for the tarpon fishery in Boca Grande Pass. The Commission directed staff to re-examine the definition of snagging and redefine what gear can be used in the Pass. This issue will likely be brought before the Commission at the June meeting as a draft proposal.
More information is available at MyFWC.com/Commission.
This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Proposal would make tarpon, bonefish catch-and-release only