Building owners host rooftop-nesting shorebirds
|

Building owners host rooftop-nesting shorebirds

While shorebirds and seabirds typically nest directly on beaches along our coasts, species including black skimmers, least terns, roseate terns and American oystercatchers increasingly use gravel rooftops to nest and raise chicks.  The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission thanks building owners and managers hosting shorebird and seabird species nesting on their roofs this season….

How tariffs might affect domestic shrimp
| | |

How tariffs might affect domestic shrimp

The Trump administration’s latest round of tariffs are likely to have an effect on domestic shrimp production and prices, but to what extent, and in what way, still remains unclear. Reese Antley, vice-president of operations for Wood’s Fisheries in Port St. Joe, said he believes it’s likely there will be an increase in prices for…

Spring is time to start being BearWise
|

Spring is time to start being BearWise

It’s springtime, and Florida’s wildlife is becoming more active. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) reminds the public to be BearWise® and watch for bears as they stop hitting the winter snooze button. March means black bears will leave their winter dens for food and water, and they rarely pass up an easy…

|

Unemployment ticks higher on Forgotten Coast

The jobless rate along the Forgotten Coast rose slightly in February, to where both Gulf and Franklin counties are now above the state average. According to preliminary data released last month by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Franklin County’s jobless rate went up from 4.5 to 4.6 percent, and in Gulf, from 3.7 to…

Splash into license-free freshwater fishing weekend
| | |

Splash into license-free freshwater fishing weekend

Mark your calendars for an opportunity to go freshwater fishing during the upcoming Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s license-free freshwater fishing weekend. This spring’s license-free fishing weekend is on April 5 and 6 and invites residents and visitors to explore the many recreational freshwater fishing opportunities Florida has to offer.  Visit the FWC’s fishing…

|

Unemployment jumps along the Forgotten Coast

The jobless rate along the Forgotten Coast climbed sharply in January. According to preliminary data released Monday by the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity, Franklin County’s jobless rate went from 3.7 to 4.5 percent, and in Gulf, it went from 3.1 to 3.7 percent. In Franklin, 39 workers joined the unemployment line, raising it to…

Look out for nesting coastal birds in the Panhandle
| | | |

Look out for nesting coastal birds in the Panhandle

Both the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and Audubon Florida, are reminding the public that the first shorebird nest of the year has been spotted, and that giving birds their space allows nesting parents to successfully raise the next generation of sea and shorebirds. Spring and summer mark critical times of year for several…

FWC to host virtual meeting March 13 on bear hunting
| |

FWC to host virtual meeting March 13 on bear hunting

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission wants to hear from the public about their thoughts on potential options for regulated black bear hunting. FWC has scheduled a virtual public meeting on Thursday, March 13, beginning at 6 p.m. EDT. Those interested in attending the meeting can join by going to MyFWC.com/Hunting and clicking “Florida…

FWC recognizes Florida bass as unique species
| |

FWC recognizes Florida bass as unique species

At its February meeting, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recognized Florida bass as a unique species and incorporated the name change into rules.  As stated in a 2024 news release, the American Fisheries Society confirmed Florida bass (Micropterus salmoides) as a separate species from largemouth bass (Micropterus nigricans). The updates do not alter…

FWC implements name change to ‘Gulf of America’
|

FWC implements name change to ‘Gulf of America’

In support of President Donald Trump’s Executive Order 14172, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has announced the renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America in all Commission materials, documents, rules set forth in Chapter 68, F.A.C., maps, forms, and resources through Executive Order 25-04, which can be found at…