Signing up to participate in the Gulf Reef Fish Survey becomes mandatory April 1.
The no-cost process will help the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission understand how many people target Gulf reef fish, like red snapper and gag grouper, and what anglers are seeing on the water.
The Gulf Reef Fish Survey is for anglers (including those 65 and older) fishing in the Gulf of Mexico (excluding Monroe County) from a private boat, who plan to harvest, possess or land any of these reef fish:
•Red and vermilion snapper
•Gag
•Black and red grouper
•Gray triggerfish
•Greater and lesser amberjack
•Banded rudderfish
•Almaco jack
Visit License.MyFWC.com, enter your date of birth and one of the required “Lookup Method” identifiers (Social Security number, FWC customer ID or driver’s license number) and click continue to sign up.
If you are a new customer, you may have to create a customer account before you proceed to the next steps. Once you are in the system, click “Purchase a License.” Add the no-cost Gulf Reef Fish Angler to your cart (found under “Saltwater Fishing”) and then check out. Print a copy to take with you when you are fishing.
Alternatively, call 1-888-FISHFLORIDA (347-4356).
Those fishing from a for-hire vessel are not required to participate in the survey. Anglers under 16 years of age and those fishing from a vessel with a vessel recreational fishing license also are exempt.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Gulf Reef Fish Survey registration becomes mandatory