FWC brain trust is at it again, it seems they just reduced the bag limit on redfish in the NW region from 2 to 1 per person per day. Reading the information from the redfish assessment presentation it shows the escapement rate well above the 40% min they set. It also shows the rate worse in the NE region but they left the daily limit at 2 per person and are considering lower that limit as well. This change starts on May 1st according to the FWC email I received. Please see the copy and pasted email below.
Funny thing is where I fish the fishing has gotten much better over the past 5 years. On top of the you can the out come whatever you need to statically by slightly changing you sample.
Really just ticks me off.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
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April 14, 2016
Suggested Tweet: Red drum bag limit lowered to 1 fish in northwest Florida starting May 1 https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLFFWCC/bulletins/1432fec #Florida #fishing
Red drum bag limit lowered to 1 fish in northwest Florida starting May 1
At its April 13 meeting in Jupiter, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved a measure to lower the recreational red drum daily bag limit in the northwest red drum management zone (Escambia County through Fred Howard Park near Pasco County) from two fish to one fish per person.
This change will go into effect Sunday, May 1. The daily bag limit is also one in the southwest management zone, which means after this change is effective, the daily bag limit will be one red drum per person, per day in all Gulf of Mexico state waters.
All other red drum regulations remain the same, including the eight fish vessel limit and six fish per person transport limit.
These changes come as the result of stakeholder concerns that red drum populations have declined in some parts of the Panhandle region of northwest Florida since 2013, the final year of data included in the most recent stock assessment.
“The action of the Commission reflects the recreational and economic significance of the red drum fishery, as well as the value of stakeholder input in fisheries management,” said FWC Commissioner Charles W. Roberts III.
Staff have been gathering public input from anglers to better determine what is being seen in their local areas via a statewide online survey, the FWC Red Drum Forum Facebook page, and by talking with anglers at fishing club meetings, boat shows, tackle shops and dockside angler intercepts.
Staff are also collecting public input in the northeast region of Florida, where stock assessment population estimates indicate numbers may have seen a decline at the conclusion of the assessment period (2013). The stock is still exceeding management goals in that area.
The Commission will consider whether to continue the reduced bag limit in northwest Florida and whether any changes are needed in northeast Florida at the June 2016 meeting in Apalachicola. Staff will also continue to gather public input on red drum populations in northeast and northwest Florida, as well as across the state through the end of May.
Take our survey today at MyFWC.com/RedDrum2016.
