November 2, 2001
      CONTACTS: (wildlife and aquatic issues) Henry Cabbage (850) 488-8843
      (marine issues) Lee Schlesinger (850) 487-0554

      The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) voted Thursday to ban marine-life feeding by divers and dive tour operators.

      Marine-life feeding by divers surfaced as a concern two years ago when a south Florida group told Commissioners divers who feed sharks and other marine species may pose a public safety hazard. Numerous environmental groups believe the practice could alter the natural feeding behavior of marine species.

      After two years of study and five public hearings, Commissioners concluded the practice of marine-life feeding is not in the best interest of marine life or the public and adopted the new rule, which takes effect Jan. 1.

      Commissioners also directed staff to investigate the merits of petitions to reclassify the West Indian manatee from endangered to threatened and the Panama City crayfish from species of special concern to threatened. Criteria for listing under the three classifications include population levels, confinement to a limited range, probability of extinction within the next few years and other factors. Petitioners believe the manatee may no longer meet the criteria for listing as endangered, and the crayfish may warrant a higher level of protection than afforded under the species of special concern classification.

      After FWC staff completes preparation of a biological status report, a panel of scientists from outside the FWC will review the staff's conclusions and make recommendations. Staff will then create a management plan for the affected species. The full process may require up to two years to complete.

      Commissioners also passed a rule to reduce the daily bag limit on snook from two fish to one and add May to the summer closed season on snook on Florida's Gulf Coast, effective Jan. 1. The new rule does not apply to snook fishing on the state's East Coast.  Snook on the Atlantic Coast are faring better under current management practices, but high fishing pressure on the Gulf Coast has held the population below the desired level.

      In other marine fisheries action, the Commission voted to extend the current moratorium on the issuance of marine life endorsements (permits for commercial collection of ornamental fish) through June 30, 2005.

      In addition, Commissioners reviewed and discussed their artificial-reef-ship policy and various federal issues, including a proposal to require persons selling swordfish in Florida to have a valid federal permit and to specify a minimum size limit of 47 inches lower-jaw fork length for any swordfish harvested from state waters or possessed in Florida.

      The Commission directed staff to develop a proposed rule to allow commercial fishermen to possess 50 undersized lobsters (shorts) plus one short per trap on board a vessel to use as attractants to harvest legal-sized spiny lobsters. Commissioners also directed staff to conduct additional research and work with the lobster industry to develop appropriate specifications for wire used to construct traps. The FWC will schedule public workshops and develop a proposed rule to allow the sale of imported spiny lobster in Florida during the closed season.

      The FWC directed staff to draft proposed rules to establish a sponge-harvesting endorsement on the Saltwater Products License, and prohibit harvest of any commercial sponges measuring less than five inches (measured crosswise from the top of the sponge), and allow harvest of bay scallops between the Suwannee and Weeki Wachee rivers during the 2002 open season, and prohibit harvest of bay scallops west of St. Joseph Bay.

      Commissioners also directed staff to hold a final public hearing in January on a proposed rule to reduce the statewide requirement for bait shrimp live well tanks in wholesale or retail dealer storage facilities from 64 cubic feet of water to 32 cubic feet of continuously aerated saline water. Commission staff will prepare final drafts of rules to address federal and local issues and consider them for final action after public hearings at future meetings.

      Regarding inland issues, Commissioners voted for re-establishment of the Upper St. Johns Marsh Type II Wildlife Management Area (WMA) adding 2,733 acres, and the Lake Wales Ridge Wildlife and Environmental Area (WEA) adding 319 acres.

      Land acquisition items approved by the Commission included: the 2,121-acre Pal Mar Tract adjacent to the Hungryland WEA, a nine-acre addition to the Little Gator Creek WEA and three parcels, totaling 54 acres, as additions to the Yucca Pens Unit of the Babcock-Webb WMA. In addition, Commissioners approved the addition of two tracts for addition to the FWC Florida Forever acquisition list so purchase negotiations can begin. The tracts include two billboard easements totaling 0.21 acres on the Chassahowitzka WMA and 7,068 acres adjacent to the Aucilla WMA.

      Commissioners also delegated authority to the FWC's executive director to approve future additions to the FWC Florida Forever acquisitions list. The Commission would have the opportunity to continue or to terminate acquisitions at the next meeting.  Commissioners also delegated to the executive director authority to approve land acquisitions of less than $250,000 after notice to the individual Commissioners. Any Commissioner could, however, elect to have the approval decision brought before the Commission.

      Staff reports to the Commission included: minimum flows and levels for Florida river systems, a marketing plan for Florida Wildlife magazine, a strategy for positioning Florida as the fishing capital of the world and a report concerning Lake Trafford restoration.  Commissioners elected John Rood to serve as chairman and Edwin Roberts as vice-chairman for 12-month terms. Also, they recognized two-term Commissioner Julie K. Morris, whose term expires in January.

      Former Commissioner and president of the Wildlife Foundation of Florida, Dr. C. Tom Rainey, announced that Dr. Karen Steidinger, of the FWC's Florida Marine Research Institute, is the winner of the 2001 Louise Ireland Humphrey Achievement Award. The award recognizes FWC employees for outstanding achievements in fish and wildlife conservation.

      The next Commission meeting is tentatively scheduled for Jan. 23-25 in Tallahassee.

      HPC/OIS
 
 

                                         Agenda Items FWC Meeting, Oct. 31 - Nov. 2
                                                       Key Largo

         1.Dr. C. Tom Rainey, president of the Wildlife Foundation of Florida, announcement of the winner of the
            2001 Louise Ireland Humphrey Achievement Award.
         2.Recognition of certain South Region staff.
         3.Financial report.
         4.Legislative update.
         5.Executive director's report.
         6.Additional legislative issues or budget requests.
         7.Re-establishment of the Upper St. Johns River Marsh Type II WMA, adding 2,733 acres.
         8.Re-establishment of the Lake Wales Ridge WEA, adding 319 acres.
         9.Delegation of authority to the executive director to add parcels to the Commission's Florida Forever
            Inholdings and Additions List (FFIAL).
        10.Addition of the 7,068-acre Foley Land and Timber Company parcel adjoining the Aucilla WMA to the
             FFIAL.
        11.Addition of two billboard easements on the Chassahowitzka WMA to the FFIAL.
        12.Acquisition of the 2,121-acre Pal Mar Tract as an addition to the Hungryland WEA.
        13.Acquisition of the nine-acre Overstreet parcel as an addition to the Little Gator Creek WEA.
        14.Acquisition of 54 acres as an addition to the Yucca Pens Unit of the Babcock-Webb WMA.
        15.Delegation of authority to the executive director to approve land acquisition purchases up to $50,000
              and to approve land acquisition purchases up to $250,000 after appropriate notice to the Commission.
        16.Consideration of a petition to reclassify the Panama City crayfish from species of special concern to
              threatened on the state list.
        17.Consideration of a petition to reclassify the West Indian manatee from endangered to threatened on
              the state list.
        18.A staff report on minimum flows and levels determinations for Florida waterways - FWC involvement.
        19.A staff report on a marketing plan for Florida Wildlife magazine and a strategy for positioning Florida
              as the fishing capital of the world.
        20.A staff report on the Lake Trafford restoration project.
        21.A proposed rule to ban marine life feeding and operation of vessels for hire which carry passengers to
             observe fish feeding.
        22.A proposed rule amendment to include a new definition of "land," with regard to landing fish.
        23.A proposed rule to add May as a month of closed harvest of snook in Gulf waters.
        24.A proposed rule to create a one-fish daily bag limit for snook in Gulf waters and to prohibit landing of
             snook caught in the Atlantic (where the daily bag limit will remain at two fish) in the region with the
              lower bag limit.
        25.Review and discussion of the artificial reef ship policy.
        26.Review and discussion of a draft rule on marine life endorsements.
        27.A report on the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council.
        28.A report on the South Atlantic Fishery Management Council.
        29.A report on a swordfish federal consistency proposal.
        30.A report on the Biscayne Bay Fisheries Management Council
        31.Recognition of Commissioner Julie K. Morris, whose term will expire in January.
        32.Review and discussion of the spiny lobster fishery and seasons.
        33.Review and discussion of the sponge fishery in Monroe County.
        34.Review and discussion of the bay scallop fishery and seasons.
        35.Review and discussion of a draft rule to amend the size of storage containers for live bait shrimp sold
             from retail outlets.
        36.Election of the chairman and vice-chairman for 2002.