FWC wants input on snook, redfish and spotted seatrout
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has directed staff to gather public input on the future management of snook, redfish and spotted seatrout in the area of Southwest Florida where they are currently catch-and-release only.
Beginning in August 2018, the FWC made a series of temporary regulation changes to help conserve snook, redfish and spotted seatrout that were negatively impacted by a prolonged red tide that occurred in late 2017 through early 2019. Ultimately, these popular inshore species were made catch-and-release only in all waters from Pasco County through Gordon Pass in Collier County through May 31, 2021.
Long-term monitoring data indicate snook, redfish, and spotted seatrout were resilient and did not experience long-term negative effects from the 2017-19 red tide. However, anglers and charter captains have expressed concerns that the fisheries had declined prior to red tide and that the red tide affected habitat that is essential to the species.
FWC staff is continuing to gather public input online at MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments.
FWC will revisit the topic at the May 12-13 meeting. Additionally, staff will provide updates to commissioners after stock assessments for snook and redfish throughout Florida are complete later in 2021. These stock assessments, along with stakeholder input, will help staff and the commission evaluate whether any long-term management changes are needed in the future.