At its November meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) passed significant rule changes impacting both the conservation of coastal sharks and the management of a popular Gulf fishery.
Carolina Hammerhead Now a Prohibited Species
The FWC approved classifying the Carolina hammerhead as a prohibited species within Florida state waters. This new classification is a conservation measure designed to:
- Mitigate identification challenges associated with other prohibited shark species, as the Carolina hammerhead is a large coastal species that can be easily mistaken for others.
- Promote conservation for large coastal hammerheads.
The FWC encourages the public to visit MyFWC.com/Sharks to learn more about prohibited shark species.
Rule Changes Approved for Gulf Lane Snapper
In an effort to align state regulations with current and pending federal guidelines, the FWC also approved rule modifications for lane snapper in Florida’s Gulf state waters. These changes are intended to reduce the risk of overfishing, mitigate early closures, and increase consistency between Gulf state and federal waters.
The approved modifications for recreational and commercial fishing include:
- Minimum Size Limit Increase: The minimum size limit will increase from 8 inches to 10 inches total length.
- Recreational Bag Limit: A new recreational bag limit of 20 fish per person will be established.
Important Note: The new Gulf lane snapper recreational regulations are scheduled to go into effect on April 1, 2026.
READ: Busch Gardens Tampa Bay Roars Into 2026 With 35,000 Sq. Ft. ‘Lion & Hyena Ridge’ Habitat
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