Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has made certain changes in its rule which will provide more fishing opportunities for commercial fishermen. The decision was taken at Commission’s Wednesday, Feb. 8, meeting. The press release said that the management changes will be made to the king mackerel harvest in southern Florida and the oyster harvest in Apalachicola Bay.
According to the changes commercial king mackerel fishers harvesting from waters off Monroe County will be able to land and sell their harvest in Collier County from April 1 to July 1. The decision was taken to provide more opportunities to the fishers as they season usually closes before April. Thus fishermen face economic hardships because they must travel farther distances to sell their fish. The change will allow these fishermen to travel a shorter distance to sell their catch.
The Commissioners also approved a measure that will allow the harvest of oysters for seven days a week in Apalachicola Bay. This increased harvesting opportunity will help fishermen to harvest oysters and sell them in market within specified period of the year.
