Florida Fish and Wildlife to Host Workshops to Gather Public Input for Rules Protecting Bonefish

proposed regulations would protect bonefish from catch-and-release mortality

(FWC) – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will host two in-person public workshops to gather input on proposed rule changes that would create a Bonefish Seasonal Closed Area at a pre-spawning aggregation site within the boundaries of Biscayne National Park. 

Workshop dates, locations, and times are:

■ June 24 – Miami 6-7:30 p.m. at the Kendall Branch Library, 9101 SW 97^th, Miami, FL 33176

■ June 25 – Homestead 6-8 p.m. at the UF/IFAS Extension Miami-Dade County, 18710 SW 288^th, Homestead, FL 33030

At its May meeting, the FWC proposed establishing a 1.74-square-mile area east of Elliott Key inside BNP that would seasonally prohibit hook-and-line fishing and possession of hook-and-line gear from November through May.

The proposed regulations would protect bonefish from catch-and-release mortality and prevent disruption of spawning.

Discussions and feedback from these workshops will help inform staff recommendations for final rules, which are scheduled to be presented to the Commission for their consideration in August.

For more information on these workshops, visit FWC Marine Fisheries Workshops.

If you are unable to attend, you can provide input by submitting comments through the FWC Saltwater Public Comments page or by emailing Marine@MyFWC.com.

For additional information on the proposed rule, visit the Commission Meeting May 21-22 agenda, which includes links to background reports and the presentation; you can access this page by going to MyFWC.com/About.

If you have any questions or need additional information, contact 850-487-0554 or Marine@MyFWC.com.

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