| WEEKI WACHEE SPRINGS PROTECTION ZONE The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission approved a rule creating a springs protection zone around Weeki Wachee Springs in Hernando County. The second of its kind in the state, it will prohibit anchoring, beaching, mooring, and grounding a vessel in and around the springs. Under state law, tubs, rafts, and other small flotation devices will not be considered vessels. The other protection zone is Nichols Spring in Sumter County. FISHING AND BEARS Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has opened the recreational harvest of greater amberjack in the Gulf of Mexico from August 1st-25th. The FWC issued an executive order on July 19th to close the recreational harvest of red grouper in the Gulf of Mexico from July 21 – December 31, 2023. This applies to all state waters except off the coast of Monroe County. This is consistent with federal recreation season for red grouper to prevent over-fishing and to ensure future generations of red grouper. Florida is extending the Gulf red snapper season by 17 days, adding Fridays and Saturdays from September through Thanksgiving weekend. Labor Day, Veteran’s Day and Thanksgiving weekends will see extended dates. The final day is November 26th. Additionally, the FWC announced they will not hold a bear hunt this year. The last bear hunt occurred in 2015 and was shut down after just two days as the bear death count rocketed to 304. |
