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…

FWC charges three for multiple fishing net violations
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FWC charges three for multiple fishing net violations

Three veteran Franklin County fishermen, two of whom have been cited in the past for violating Florida’s so-called net ban, have once again run afoul of the law. On Aug. 25, in a boat under 20-feet long, captain William D. Sorenson, 82, of Eastpoint, and passengers Johnny D. Johnson, 59, of Carrabelle, and Donnie G….

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…

Same fish, new name; Some largemouth now Florida bass
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Same fish, new name; Some largemouth now Florida bass

Genetics studies confirmed what many anglers and biologists have believed for a long time – Florida bass are special!  Florida’s most popular freshwater game fish has a new name. The American Fisheries Society established the Florida bass as a separate species from the largemouth bass. This means that in most of Florida (except the western…

Operation Dry Water cites 131 vessel operators
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Operation Dry Water cites 131 vessel operators

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Division of Law Enforcement along with other law enforcement partners participated in Operation Dry Water’s heightened enforcement weekend July 4-6. With the Fourth of July falling on a Thursday this year the heightened patrol efforts extended through Sunday, July 7.  ODW is a year-round national effort to educate…