| 2012 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Change |
| Members of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission have established several new restrictions and regulations this year. If you are going to be boating and fishing in Florida in 2012, you should stay informed about the new restrictions and changes. Here are some of the most important ones:
1. Floridians will no longer be allowed to capture tiger sharks or scalloped, smooth, or hammerhead sharks. 2. Until March 15, all bass caught in the Rodman Reservoir must be released. 3. People will not be allowed to release more than nine helium balloons in the air, and people will not be allowed to release any helium balloons with ribbons attached the them. 4. After February 1, 2012, anglers will be allowed to begin catching spotted sea trout in Northern Florida again, and the recreational bag limit for spotted sea trout will increase from 5 to 6. 5. Anglers will be allowed to catch spotted sea trout for six months out of the year (the beginning of June to the end of November). This is an increase from the previous three-month time frame. 6. After February 1, 2012, anglers will be able to catch two red drum fish per boating trip in Northeast and Northwest Florida. Those in Southern Florida will be allowed to catch only one red drum fish per boating trip. Hopefully the rules and regulations that have come into effect this year will not jeopardize the popularity of boating and fishing in Florida. Some Floridians may have trouble justifying an exorbitant boat transport cost if they won’t be able to catch their favorite fish. Other Northern Floridians will likely be very excited about the increased opportunities to catch spotted sea trout. |