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Small levels of red tide detected offshore

Over the past week, the red tide organism Karenia brevis was detected in 85 samples collected from Florida’s Gulf Coast.  In Northwest Florida over the past week, K. brevis was observed at background concentrations in Franklin County. Bloom concentrations (>100,000 cells/liter) were present in 21 samples, offshore of Pinellas, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee and Collier…

Now is the season to exclude bats
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Now is the season to exclude bats

While Florida’s 13 native and beneficial bat species typically roost in trees, caves or other natural spaces, they can also be attracted to human-made structures. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is reminding the public that the fall season is an ideal time to exclude bats from your home or other structure. Bat maternity…

FWC Report
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FWC Report

During the week of Oct. 11 to 17, Officer Butts responded to a complaint in Gulf County about a subject who was observed trespassing. During the encounter, the subject was found to have a shocking device for harvesting freshwater fish. Butts took appropriate action.  Master Officer M. Webb was conducting resource inspections at a local…

FWC Report
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FWC Report

During the week of Sept. 27 through Oct. 3, Officers Hartzog and Forbes observed an individual fishing under the John Gorrie Bridge while they were patrolling on Apalachicola Bay. The officers moored their patrol vessel to conduct a resource inspection and discovered he was in possession of an undersized red drum and two undersized spotted…

Clean-up plucks two tons of trash from landscape
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Clean-up plucks two tons of trash from landscape

Volunteers across Franklin County removed over two tons of trash and debris from the shorelines and landscape on Saturday, Sept. 21.  The 220 volunteers of the annual International Coastal Clean Up, fanned out across 14 sites from Bald Point State Park to Apalachicola’s Seafood Landing Park, removed litter and debris, including cigarette butts, cans, vape…

FWC Report
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FWC Report

During the week of Sept. 6 through 12, Officer Stallings observed a vessel returning to Franklin County from offshore and conducted a resource inspection, during which he discovered multiple undersized, out-of-season red grouper. The operator was charged for the violations and issued the appropriate citations. During the week of Sept. 13 through 19, Officer Hartzog…

Young artists sought for state’s Fish Art Contest
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Young artists sought for state’s Fish Art Contest

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, in partnership with Wildlife Forever, is hosting the 2024-25 Art of Conservation Fish Art Contest.  The annual program invites youth from around the world to connect with nature and learn about fish and aquatic habitats while exploring creative art and writing. Since its founding in 1997, the contest…

Coastal Clean Up to honor Long’s legacy
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Coastal Clean Up to honor Long’s legacy

Each year in Franklin County several tons of trash and debris are removed from its coastline thanks to local volunteers who join the annual International Coastal Clean Up.  Their actions protect water and soil quality and wildlife habitat. It also shields human health, by lessening exposure to toxins and injury. From Apalachicola to Bald Point…

FWC Report
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FWC Report

During the week of Aug. 23 to 29, Officer Hartzog was patrolling the Apalachicola River in Franklin County and after observing a vessel with two individuals on board returning from the bay with fishing gear, conducted a resource and boating safety inspection, during which he observed multiple boating safety violations and the individuals possessed undersized…