FWC approves changes for redfish in state waters
At a recent monthly meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved new management regions and regulation changes for redfish in state waters following the final rule hearing.
The regulation changes, which go into effect on Sept. 1, will:
– Establish nine redfish management regions.
– Prohibit captain and crew from retaining a bag limit of redfish when on a for-hire trip.
– Reduce the off-the-water transport limit from six to four fish per person.
– Reduce the vessel limit in each of the regions to: Four fish for the Panhandle, Big Bend and Northeast; and two fish for the Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Southwest and Southeast.
– Allow only catch-and-release fishing for redfish in the Indian River Lagoon region.
– Set the bag limit to one fish in the Panhandle, Big Bend, Tampa Bay, Sarasota Bay, Charlotte Harbor, Southwest, Southeast and Northeast regions. It is a reduction to the bag limit in the Northeast region.
“With this new forward-thinking management approach, we’re trying to do what’s best for this fishery,” FWC Commissioner Steven Hudson said. “This agency is committed to working proactively to conserve the redfish fishery in Florida for future generations while balancing stakeholder interests.”
As part of the FWC’s new management approach, the changes to redfish management regions and regulations will better capture regional differences and improve angler satisfaction. The new management approach includes annual reviews of the redfish fishery and redfish regulations may be changed each year in response to the reviews.
For current recreational redfish regulations, visit MyFWC.com/Marine and click on “Recreational Regulations” and “Redfish.” The page will be updated with the new regulations when they take effect.
To reach FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION, please email