The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is hosting several public workshops in early March to gather public input on a proposal that would improve recreational reef fish data collection.
The proposal would create a mandatory permit or registry system for Gulf of Mexico recreational anglers who target reef fish like red snapper, grouper, amberjack and gray triggerfish. This system will help researchers better define the number of offshore anglers and help them contact these anglers to gather additional data.
Get your voice heard on this important topic by attending an in-person workshop or a phone conference.
The two Northwest Florida workshops are scheduled for the following locations and times:
•6- 8 p.m. CST March 6 at the Destin Community Center, 101 Stahlman Ave., Destin.
•6-8 p.m. CDT March 12: Escambia County Extension Office Auditorium, 3740 Stefani Road, Pensacola.
A phone conference is also scheduled 6-8 p.m. EDT March 11. RSVP to the Division of Marine Fisheries Management at 850-487-0554 to obtain instructions to join the meeting.
For more information visit FWC's fishing page and click on “Saltwater,” “Rulemaking” and “Public Workshops,” or call 850-487-0554.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Gulf reef fish workshops scheduled for March