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Contrary to some reports, there are no new saltwater fish handling regulations in
Florida. However, the FWC has recently been reminding anglers about existing rules
that are meant to protect fish when they can't be taken.
Fish must be immediately released for several reasons. For example, there is no
allowable harvest of goliath grouper and Nassau grouper in Florida.
Tarpon may only be taken if a special tag is clipped to the fish's lower jaw. Several
species, such as snook, redfish and spotted seatrout, can be kept only at certain times
and sizes.
When a fish isn't allowed to be harvested, it must immediately be returned to the water
free, alive, and unharmed. However, if a fish is allowed to be taken at a certain size
limit, it's okay to temporarily possess it to measure it, as long as it is measured
immediately after removing it from the water, and the fish is then immediately returned
to the water free, alive, and unharmed if it is not a legal-size fish.
The FWC has a pamphlet that offers tips on proper handling and release of saltwater
fish http://myfwc.com/marine/Docs/Catch_Release.pdf. Anglers should also use
common sense when releasing fish. Sometimes it's better to safely handle a fish to
carefully remove the hook so it can be released, and other times it's best to cut the line
as close to the hook as possible while the fish is in the water - especially if it's large or
agitated.
It is okay to take a picture of a fish that is not allowed to be harvested while it's in the
process of being released, but it still must be let go immediately and should not be
held in lengthy poses just for the purpose of taking the picture. And it is never legal to
hold on to or tow a fish that is not allowed to be harvested to a place to weigh or
measure it for a fishing tournament or record.
The plain fact is that many of our most popular recreational fisheries are strictly
regulated, and because of this, many fish caught must be returned to the water. Most
anglers would agree that anything we can do to minimize the harm to those fish being
released will benefit the resource in the long haul.
However, we also don't want to discourage the fun and excitement of catching fish and
documenting the catch, whether for records or the personal satisfaction that comes
with sharing this experience with friends and family. That's why we are attempting to
inform the public about safe catch and release techniques, and the harm that can be
caused to fish that are handled roughly or held out of the water too long. That is the
approach our law enforcement officers are taking, and only egregious cases of
mishandling or unequivocal "possession" of an illegal fish would be pursued.
Florida's anglers should be proud of their conservation efforts. They have helped to
restore or sustain valuable fisheries, including snook, red drum and spotted seatrout.
As the number of anglers continues to grow and our coastal habitats come under
increasing stress, it becomes more important than ever to release those fish that
cannot be harvested in as good a condition as possible. The next angler will thank you
for it.
Florida. However, the FWC has recently been reminding anglers about existing rules
that are meant to protect fish when they can't be taken.
Fish must be immediately released for several reasons. For example, there is no
allowable harvest of goliath grouper and Nassau grouper in Florida.
Tarpon may only be taken if a special tag is clipped to the fish's lower jaw. Several
species, such as snook, redfish and spotted seatrout, can be kept only at certain times
and sizes.
When a fish isn't allowed to be harvested, it must immediately be returned to the water
free, alive, and unharmed. However, if a fish is allowed to be taken at a certain size
limit, it's okay to temporarily possess it to measure it, as long as it is measured
immediately after removing it from the water, and the fish is then immediately returned
to the water free, alive, and unharmed if it is not a legal-size fish.
The FWC has a pamphlet that offers tips on proper handling and release of saltwater
fish http://myfwc.com/marine/Docs/Catch_Release.pdf. Anglers should also use
common sense when releasing fish. Sometimes it's better to safely handle a fish to
carefully remove the hook so it can be released, and other times it's best to cut the line
as close to the hook as possible while the fish is in the water - especially if it's large or
agitated.
It is okay to take a picture of a fish that is not allowed to be harvested while it's in the
process of being released, but it still must be let go immediately and should not be
held in lengthy poses just for the purpose of taking the picture. And it is never legal to
hold on to or tow a fish that is not allowed to be harvested to a place to weigh or
measure it for a fishing tournament or record.
The plain fact is that many of our most popular recreational fisheries are strictly
regulated, and because of this, many fish caught must be returned to the water. Most
anglers would agree that anything we can do to minimize the harm to those fish being
released will benefit the resource in the long haul.
However, we also don't want to discourage the fun and excitement of catching fish and
documenting the catch, whether for records or the personal satisfaction that comes
with sharing this experience with friends and family. That's why we are attempting to
inform the public about safe catch and release techniques, and the harm that can be
caused to fish that are handled roughly or held out of the water too long. That is the
approach our law enforcement officers are taking, and only egregious cases of
mishandling or unequivocal "possession" of an illegal fish would be pursued.
Florida's anglers should be proud of their conservation efforts. They have helped to
restore or sustain valuable fisheries, including snook, red drum and spotted seatrout.
As the number of anglers continues to grow and our coastal habitats come under
increasing stress, it becomes more important than ever to release those fish that
cannot be harvested in as good a condition as possible. The next angler will thank you
for it.
| Fish Handling Guidelines |
All About Florida Keys Fishing & Key West Fishing
Releasing a Sailfish
Downloadable Brochure in Adobe pdf format
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