The Florida Keys Sanctuary Advisory Council has started work on a new program that would reward charter fishing boat captains for practicing sustainable fishing and conservation. During its most recent meeting at the Ocean Reef Club, the council agreed to form a roughly 12-member working group to come up with the structure and the guiding … Read more
On Oct. 1, an amendment to the Florida statute pertaining to Spiny Lobster harvest went into effect, giving authorities more latitude in prosecutions for those who harvest undersized spiny lobster. The new legislation, SB 1470, sponsored by Rep. Holly Raschein and Sen. Jack Latvala, and championed by many in the Keys, specifies that each undersized … Read more
The beautifully marked Caribbean Spiny Lobster has long been a Florida seafood favorite and is arguably one of the state’s most important fisheries. Thousands of harvesters flock to the Florida Keys each year during the sport and regular season to experience some of the best lobstering in the world. Many divers, like the one in … Read more
Recreational and commercial Stone Crab season opens Oct. 15 in state and federal waters Only the claws may be harvested Although it is currently lawful to harvest both of a stone crab’s claws, this practice leaves the stone crab with few ways to defend itself from predators. FWC encourages people to only take a single claw. … Read more
Last week, we visited Key Largo, Fla., which is the first large key on the way to Key West. One of the items on my bucket list (the things I want to do before I depart this world) has been bonefish fishing and Key Largo is one of the hot spots in the United States … Read more
Dubbed a “no-yelling school of fishing,” the Ladies Let’s Go Fishing program provides female anglers with a weekend university from Friday, Oct. 21, through Sunday, Oct. 23. Over the last 20 years, more than 8,000 program graduates have learned to become anglers or polished their angling skills as well as practiced responsible angling and applied learned … Read more
The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council has approved new recreational and commercial regulations for hogfish, a popular fish in the Florida Keys for catching and eating. The South Atlantic Council, which has jurisdiction from the Keys to North Carolina, agreed last week to reduce the bag limit for hogfish caught off South Florida from five … Read more
Jose Wejebe was more than a TV personality. He was an inspiration to thousands of friends, fans, and followers, creating a passion for fishing, boating, and the ocean lifestyle that he so loved. His background and history tell a story of a passionate man who would have said that the Spanish Fly lives on in … Read more
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved several mutton snapper management changes at the September meeting in St. Augustine. Changes will go into effect Jan. 1, 2017, and include: Increasing the recreational, commercial, importation and sale minimum size limits to 18 inches. Reducing the recreational bag limit to five fish per person within … Read more
Florida Keys Fishing Tournaments offer a variety of competitive fishing opportunities throughout the year. Whether one wants to prowl the reefs and wrecks for yellowtail and grouper, stalk the backcountry in search of bonefish, tarpon or permit, or troll the blue waters for dolphin and sailfish, there’s a tournament to fit the bill. The calendar … Read more
Florida’s Spiny Lobster season kicks off Aug. 6 and, once again, commercial fisheries are trying to get their hands on these savory critters. FIU marine scientist Heather Bracken-Grissom offers insight on one of the state’s most iconic and economically lucrative marine animals. Lobsters are large marine crustaceans. They have a hard, external skeleton that supports … Read more
We’ve talked about exercising extra caution, both on the water and off, due to the influx of tourists partaking in lobster mini-season last week. This week, add to your boating attentiveness the presence of commercial lobster trap gear. August 1, the commercial lobstermen splashed their fresh gear for the eight-month recreational and commercial lobster season … Read more
The 2018 Florida spiny lobster season opens with the two-day recreational sport season July 25 and 26, followed by the regular commercial and recreational lobster season, which starts Aug. 6 and runs through March 31. Planning on catching some of these tasty crustaceans? Here is what you need to know before you go. No one … Read more
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) took immediate action to help the Florida snook population rebound after a prolonged cold spell in January 2010. The cold snap, which led the FWC to close the fisheries, had a much greater effect on the snook population on the Gulf Coast than it did on the … Read more
If you are familiar with the Florida Keys’ marine world, you’ve probably had an experience with Florida Keys Sharks. When you see a shark, the excitement of your experience is often elevated. Sharks have inspired fear and respect via movies, books and even “Shark Week.” It is important to dispel the myths of vengeful man-eaters … Read more
Nature’s Corner is featuring a four-part series in June to introduce you to sharks. We’ll cover a bit of their anatomy and behaviors, some species you’ll see here in the Florida Keys and what dangers sharks might pose. For some people, their perception of sharks make them an animal of people’s nightmares. However, once you … Read more
For the first time in its history, Zane Grey’s West Society is having its 34th annual conference east of the Mississippi, and it has chosen Islamorada as one of its host sites. A few of the events set for June 20 to 23 in Islamorada are open to the public, and new members are welcome … Read more
Researchers track the movements of Cobia (Rachycentron canadum) to determine migration patterns and the geographical location of the biological Atlantic and Gulf stock boundary. Why are we doing this Cobia project? Cobia is a popular saltwater recreational fishery in the southeastern U.S. due to ease of access, brute fighting strength, and excellent culinary qualities. Currently, cobia … Read more
Snook Season, the recreational harvest of snook in Florida state and federal waters, will close on June 1. Snook Season will reopen for harvest in Atlantic state and federal waters, including Lake Okeechobee and the Kissimmee River, on Sept. 1. Snook is also closed for harvest in Gulf of Mexico state and federal waters, including … Read more
Successful is too small of a word to describe the second annual Lionfish Removal and Awareness Day Festival May 14-15. In Pensacola alone, 8,089 lionfish were removed in only two days at the Gulf Coast Lionfish Coalition Tournament. More than 7,000 people (more than double last year’s numbers) attended the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation … Read more