New fishing rules proposed

Fishermen in the Gulf of Mexico might soon have some new rules to follow.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is considering a decrease in the number of gag grouper, while increasing the number of red grouper, that may be taken from state waters.

"There's a little bit of a give-and-take going on here," said FWC spokesman Lee Schlesinger.

The wildlife commission has spent the past three days meeting in Jacksonville to discuss issues ranging from turtles to duck blinds to non-native animal adoptions. The grouper issue, in particular, hits close to home for local sport fishermen.

Under current regulations, recreational fishermen may catch up to five gag grouper in state waters, but only one red grouper. In an effort to get in line with pending federal regulations, the FWC has proposed setting the bag limit for both gag and red grouper at two.

"This isn't done yet," Schlesinger said Friday, adding that a decision would not be made until after the final public hearing at the commission's Key West meeting in December.

Schlesinger said he thinks the increase of red grouper would "ease a little bit of the pain" caused by the cutback on gag grouper limits. Also on the table will be a two-month period, from Feb. 1 to March 31, when gag grouper may not be fished.

"Overfishing is taking place," Schlesinger said.

The FWC is hoping a two-month closed season will give the fish an opportunity to replenish their stock.

Other regulations

Also on the FWC's agenda this week were regulations concerning greater amberjack and gray triggerfish. The commission is considering raising recreational size limits on each. The fork length on the amberjack would increase from 28 inches to 30 inches, while that of the triggerfish would go from 12 inches to 14 inches.

"Fishermen are already having to abide by these size limits if they are more than nine miles offshore," Schlesinger said, referring to federal regulations that took affect last month.

During the FWC's February meeting in Panama City Beach, local fishermen pressed officials to go easy on red snapper regulations. Red snapper, along with grouper, is a staple fish for the area.

"The fishermen there begged the commission to be less restrictive," Schlesinger recalled.

He added there was some initial sympathy that had more recently swung into more conservative waters since "the fallout from that meeting is just now being felt."

Schlesinger said he expects the FWC will revisit the red snapper issue in Key West at the end of the year.

"In December, this issue is really going to boil up again," he said. "So stay tuned."