The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced today the reopening of the recreational bay scallop harvest in the Pasco Zone following a temporary closure. The zone will be open from August 28 through September 24, 2024. This area includes all state waters south of the Hernando-Pasco county line and north of the Anclote Key Lighthouse in northern Pinellas County, encompassing the Anclote River.
With hunting season approaching, the urgency of addressing chronic wasting disease (CWD) continues as a primary concern for hunters and property owners in the Florida Panhandle. CWD is a contagious, fatal neurological disease that affects deer, elk, moose, and caribou. Last year, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) confirmed Florida’s first known case of CWD in a white-tailed deer in Holmes County and has since implemented new rules and regulations to control its spread. This disease poses significant economic and environmental risks for Florida’s...
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is organizing a rule development workshop to gather public input on potential modifications to existing manatee protection zones in Levy County. The workshop will take place from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on September 5, at the Inglis Community Center, located at 137 Highway 40 West in Inglis.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will issue a School Fishing Club Grant to 50 schools for the upcoming school year. The School Fishing Club Program is an annual educational grant program that teaches youth anglers about best fishing practices to help ensure the future of fishing in Florida.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking participants to help identify images of eastern indigo snakes, listed as federally threatened, from a database of digital trail camera photos. This project, the Indigo Snake Watch, aims to improve understanding of the reintroduced snakes’ activity and distribution while providing volunteers an opportunity to contribute to the conservation of North America’s largest native snake species.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is asking Floridians to report all sightings of wild turkeys between now and Aug. 31. This includes hens, with or without poults, and bearded turkeys.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has released its 2024-2025 manatee and sea turtle decals. These illustrated decals can be placed on watercraft, vehicle bumpers, water bottles, coolers, tackle boxes, and laptops.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will conduct aquatic plant management on Lake Okeechobee starting August 12. The project is expected to last two days, weather permitting.
The 2024 Florida Python Challenge™ commenced at 12:01 a.m. on August 9, with participants scouring the Everglades to locate and remove invasive Burmese pythons. Hundreds have registered for the chance to win up to $10,000 in prizes while contributing to the protection of Florida’s native wildlife and the Everglades ecosystem.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will hold a public meeting regarding the Florida Keys Wildlife and Environmental Area (WEA) Management Plan Amendment on Monday, August 26. The hearing is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Marathon Government Center, located at 2798 Overseas Highway, Marathon, FL.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will celebrate National Shooting Sports Month in partnership with the National Shooting Sports Foundation. Created to encourage participation in the shooting sports and emphasize firearm safety, National Shooting Sports Month will take place throughout August.
Preparing for a natural disaster can be overwhelming, with many critical details to address. By preparing in advance, you can significantly reduce the risks to both life and property. In addition to safeguarding family and property, Florida’s boat owners and operators must also consider their vessels. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has compiled various informational resources for boaters to assist them with storm preparation and recovery.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is conducting regional workshops to inform local governments about opportunities to conserve gopher tortoises and other state-listed species in Florida.
Youth angler Krieger Brasseale had a memorable visit to the Sunshine State earlier this year. Brasseale spent his spring break chasing saltwater fishing records and achieved five approved youth Florida Saltwater Fishing Records.
The permit season opens inside the Special Permit Zone in south Florida on August 1. This zone includes all state and federal waters south of Cape Sable on the Gulf coast, and south of Cape Florida on the Atlantic coast, including all of the Florida Keys and Biscayne Bay south of the Rickenbacker Causeway.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has issued an executive order to modify the recreational season for greater amberjack in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The recreational season, initially set to open on August 1, will now commence on September 1 and remain open through October 31, 2024. During August, the recreational harvest of Gulf greater amberjack will remain closed.
On July 24, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Division of Law Enforcement announced charges against four individuals involved in a scheme to defraud hunters seeking Osceola turkey hunts. Larry William Collins, David Preston Mills, Paul Neil Beckham, and Vernon Robert Flowers were charged with multiple felonies, including organized fraud, conspiracy to commit organized fraud, cheating, and the unlawful use of a two-way communication device.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced today a temporary closure of the recreational bay scallop harvest in the Pasco Zone. This area includes all state waters south of the Hernando-Pasco county line and north of the Anclote Key Lighthouse in northern Pinellas County, encompassing the Anclote River.
The Florida recreational spiny lobster sport season will commence on July 24 and 25, with the regular recreational season following from August 6 through March 31, 2025. Harvest regulations stipulate that lobsters must have a minimum carapace length of three inches, measured in water. In Monroe County and Biscayne National Park, harvesters may take up to six lobsters per day, while in other state waters, the limit is 12 lobsters per day.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds boaters and divers to practice safe boating and diving habits by maintaining 360-degree awareness and adhering to all divers-down flag regulations.