Bloggrouper

 

Photo: Troy Frady

We’ve been working on
developing some different grouper management options and we’d like you to let
us know which of the possible options suit you best, and why.

First, we’re reconsidering
the recreational 2013 gag season and bag limit. We are not reducing the amount of gag that can be harvested, we are simply considering different season and bag options at the request of fishermen and the State of Florida. 
 
The current recreational
gag regulations are:
  • Open season
    from July 1 through October 31
  • 2 fish bag
    limit
Although the current
season provides the most fishing days, fishermen have asked us to consider
shifting the season to days when there is greater demand for gag fishing. We’re
also considering a 1-fish bag limit to increase the number of fishing days
available.
Photo: FSU

Second, we’re
reconsidering the February through March shallow-water grouper closed season.

The current shallow-water
grouper regulations are:

  • Closed season
    February 1 – March 31 for gag, red grouper, black grouper, yellowmouth grouper,
    scamp, and yellowfin grouper

Changes in grouper
management and changes to fish stocks have led fishermen and scientists to
question the need for the shallow-water grouper closure. We’re considering whether
we should remove or modify this closed season, and we’d like your input.

If you’d like to know a
bit more about the possible changes, read this guide and/or watch this short
video presentation:


 

Your comments are important
to us, and we hope you can join us at one of these public hearings:
October 15, 2012
Destin, Florida
Country Inn & Suites

4415 Commons Dr. E.
Destin, FL 32541

(850)
650-9191


Naples, Florida
Courtyard Marriott

3250 Tamiami Trail N.
Naples, FL 34103

(239)
434-8700
October 16, 2012
St.Petersburg,
Florida
Sirata Hotel

5300 Gulf Boulevard

St. Petersburg, FL 33706
(727)
363-5100


Gulf Shores, Alabama
Holiday Inn Express

160 W. Commerce Blvd.

Gulf Shores, AL
36542


(251) 948-6191
October 17, 2012
D’Iberville,
Mississippi
Courtyard Marriott

11471 Cinema Drive
D’Iberville, MS 39540

(228) 392-1200


Galveston, Texas
Hilton Galveston

5400 Seawall Blvd.
Galveston, TX 77551

(409)
744-5000
October 18, 2012
Corpus Christi,
Texas
Harte Institute

6300 Ocean Dr., Rm 127
Corpus Christi, TX
78412
(361) 825-2000


Kenner, Louisiana
Crowne Plaza Airport

2829 W. Williams Blvd.
Kenner, LA 70062

(504)
467-5611


**All meetings begin at
6pm
If you don’t think you can make it in person please send us a
comment using this electronic comment form.
Thanks for taking the time to help us make these important fishery
management decisions. If you have any questions don’t hesitate to get in touch.