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Marine Fisheries Workshops

Check back for updates on future workshops.

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is considering changes to rules governing the Marine Special Activity License (SAL) program (Chapter 68B-8, Florida Administrative Code). Potential changes under consideration include updates to eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria, license conditions, and requirements for tagging marine organisms; modifying terminology related to third-party contractors, revising the definition of prohibited species and prohibited species collection criteria; streamlining rules related to the transferability of marine organisms harvested under an SAL; updates to Scientific Research, Education/Exhibition, Stock Collection and Release, Snook, Gear Innovation, Governmental Purpose, Nonprofit Corporation, and Marine Chemical SALs; and updates to the Florida Marine Science Educators Association Certification process. Staff will provide a brief presentation on potential proposed rule updates. Public feedback gathered during this workshop will be considered when developing rule recommendations for the Commission.

Staff hosted a virtual public workshop on March 7, 2025. If you were unable to attend the workshop, a recording of the workshop is available on YouTube. 

After viewing this video, please share your comments by visiting the FWC saltwater comments page MyFWC.com/SaltwaterComments or by email Marine@MyFWC.com. Public feedback will inform proposed rules the FWC Commissioners will consider at the May 2025 Commission Meeting. 

This workshop is scheduled for April 2, 2025, from 6:00-8:00pm at the William “Bill” Gulliford Jr. (Mayport) Community Center (4875 Ocean St, Jacksonville, FL 32233).

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is proposing changes to shrimp harvest regulations in Nassau and Duval counties and is holding a public workshop to gather input. Proposed changes include:

  • Increasing the dead shrimp allowance for commercial live bait harvesters from 1 gallon to 5 gallons to match the rest of the state.
  • Opening part of Pumpkin Hill Creek off the Nassau River to recreational and commercial shrimp harvest from September through December.

Staff will provide a brief presentation on the proposed rules before gathering public comment at the workshop.  Feedback gathered during this workshop will help inform staff’s recommendation for final rules to the Commission.

 

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking input on the regulation and management of commercial and recreational oyster harvest in Florida, and specifically in Apalachicola Bay. Potential updates under consideration are changes to licensing requirements for fishery participants, bag limits, seasons, tolerances for undersized attached and unattached oysters, enforcement of undersized oysters in a certified oyster house, modifying how harvest units are measured.

Staff will provide a presentation on oyster management before gathering public comment at the workshop.  Feedback gathered during this workshop will help inform staff’s recommendation for proposed rules to the Commission.

Information on the upcoming in-person workshops is listed below.

  • Apalachicola: April 15, 2025, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. (ET) at the Fort Coombs Armory (66 4th St., Apalachicola, FL 32320).
  • Pensacola: April 16, 2025, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. (CT) at the Pensacola Main Library (239 N. Spring St., Pensacola, FL 32502).
  • Cedar Key: April 22, 2025, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. (ET) at the Cedar Key RV Resort (11980 S.W. Shiloh Rd., Cedar Key, FL 32625).
  • St. Augustine: April 29, 2025, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. (ET) at St. Johns River State College (2990 College Dr., St. Augustine, FL 32804)
  • Apalachicola: June 3, 2025, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. (ET) - Location to be Determined

In addition to five in-person public workshops, staff will host two virtual public workshops through Microsoft Teams. A link to access the virtual meeting will posted to this page. The virtual workshops are scheduled for:

  • May 1, 2025, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. (ET) 
  • June 5, 2025, from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. (ET). 

For questions, contact the Division of Marine Fisheries Management at (850) 487-0554.