Tallahassee, Florida – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is organizing a series of in-person public workshops and one virtual webinar to collect valuable input from stakeholders on the future management of the recreational gag grouper fishery off Florida’s Gulf coast. This initiative comes at a critical time as the commission seeks to balance improved angler access with the ongoing recovery of the gag grouper stock.
The FWC recognizes that the existing management framework for Gulf gag grouper has posed challenges for recreational anglers. Despite the species remaining overfished and subject to a federal rebuilding plan, opportunities exist to enhance fishing opportunities while ensuring the stock’s continued recovery. With an additional quota anticipated for 2026, these workshops provide a platform for anglers to voice their preferences and ideas that could inform potential shifts toward state-level management.
The workshops will focus on several key aspects of recreational gag grouper management. Anglers will have the chance to discuss preferred season structures, including the best time of year, overall length of the season, and considerations like prioritizing weekends versus weekdays. Feedback on bag limits will be sought, along with thoughts on implementing vessel limits to better control harvest rates. The commission is also interested in whether regulations should vary between for-hire operations, such as charters and headboats, and private recreational anglers.
Additional topics include the feasibility of anglers reporting their gag grouper fishing data through a mobile app to improve data collection and management decisions. Regional management approaches will also be explored, allowing for tailored regulations that reflect local conditions along the Gulf coast. Participants are encouraged to share any other innovative ideas to contribute to a holistic management strategy.
The schedule for the in-person workshops spans late February and early March, strategically located across coastal communities to maximize accessibility:
- Feb. 23 – Crawfordville at Wakulla Environmental Institute, 170 Preservation Way, Crawfordville, FL 32327, from 6-8 p.m. ET
- Feb. 24 – Port St. Joe at Port Inn Hall & Chapel, 309 Sixth St., Port St. Joe, FL 32456, from 6-8 p.m. CT
- Feb. 25 – Destin at Destin Community Center, 101 Stahlman Ave., Destin, FL 32541, from 6-8 p.m. CT
- Feb. 26 – Steinhatchee at Steinhatchee Community Center, 1013 Riverside Drive, Steinhatchee, FL 32359, from 6-8 p.m. ET
- March 3 – Homosassa at Homosassa Public Library, 4100 S. Grandmarch Ave., Homosassa, FL 34446, from 6-8 p.m. ET
- March 4 – Tarpon Springs at Tarpon Springs Public Library, 138 E. Lemon St., Tarpon Springs, FL 34689, from 6-8 p.m. ET
- March 5 – Madeira Beach at Patricia A. Shontz Commission Chambers, 300 Municipal Drive, Madeira Beach, FL 33708, from 6-8 p.m. ET
A virtual webinar is scheduled for March 10, starting at 6 p.m. ET and lasting until 8 p.m. ET. The link to join will be available on the day of the event at MyFWC.com/SaltwaterWorkshops.
Those unable to attend in person or virtually can still participate by submitting comments through the FWC Saltwater Public Comments page or emailing Marine@MyFWC.com. All input is valued to help shape effective policies that support sustainable fisheries and angler satisfaction.
For questions or further details, contact the FWC at 850-487-0554 or Marine@MyFWC.com. More information on the workshops is available at MyFWC.com/SaltwaterWorkshops.
For more information, visit Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.