FWC to permanently waive license requirement for lionfish harvest

[The Chairman]

:fwc:

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) on April 17 at its meeting near Tallahassee discussed waiving the commercial and recreational bag limit and the recreational license requirement for divers harvesting lionfish using certain gear.
In August 2012, the FWC put a temporary rule in place that waived the recreational fishing license requirement when targeting lionfish with a hand-held net, pole spear, Hawaiian sling or any other spearing device designed and marketed exclusively for lionfish. This temporary rule change also removed any bag limits when recreationally or commercially harvesting lionfish. Prior to the change, recreational anglers could not catch more than 100 pounds of lionfish without being required to have a commercial license.
The temporary rule change expires Aug. 3.
The Commissioners will finalize the license waiver and the bag limit removal at their June meeting in Lakeland.
Lionfish are a nonnative, invasive species that negatively impact Florida’s native saltwater fish and wildlife. Currently, the most effective method of removing lionfish from Florida waters is by spearing or using a hand-held net. Removing the license requirements and bag limits will increase lionfish harvest opportunities.
For more on the pr­oposal presented to Commissioners, visit MyFWC.com/Commission and click on “Commission Meetings.”
-30-
AN/MS/CC/MFM
SCB


If you wish to be removed from this distribution list, please use this link to unsubscribe.


Website: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

 

[Dsix36]

Now if they would just include a clause to specifically allow rebreathers to be used in this activity ????

 

[The Chairman]

As well as spearing these fish in the SPAs.

 

[Johnoly]

We keep a copy of the original executive order with us. It's amazing how many officers still ask to see a FL fishing license from out of state'rs who have polespears on board with lionfish. Making it permanent is great news because the vacation travelers are helping us with this problem and we shouldn't charge them to do it.

 

[iluvtheocean]

it specifically says that the meetings are open to the public so if any divers in that area - i would suggest stopping by and having our voices heard. If we want to be able to spearfish on rebreathers for non-commercial use, etc. we need to contact them and find out what needs to be done to amend it and inquire how many signatures on a petition would they require to put it on the agenda. we are all still taxpayers and bring lots of tourism money to florida. so why not give it a shot?

What i really want besides the lionfish admendment is harsher rules on Dive Flag violations & more specific. but the boating tends to be ummm "hazardous" to divers in the open water down here