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FWC Proposes Regional Overhaul for Spotted Seatrout Management
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is proposing a major shift in how it manages one of the state’s most popular inshore species. During its November 5–6 meeting in Belle Glade, commissioners introduced a plan to divide the state’s spotted seatrout fishery into nine separate management regions, each with its own regulations.
The goal, according to FWC officials, is to adopt a more “adaptive, holistic approach” that reflects local differences in trout populations.
“Taking an adaptive holistic approach to spotted seatrout management will continue the success FWC has seen with Florida’s redfish and snook fisheries,” said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto.
Commissioner Preston Farrior added that the approach will “allow us to be fluid and reactive to the unique needs of each region.”
If approved, the rule changes would establish new regional bag limits, closed seasons, and a recreational allowance of one fish over the slot limit. Commercial closed seasons would also vary by region to align with local conditions.
Before finalizing the proposal, FWC staff will collect public feedback through a series of in-person and virtual workshops, culminating in a final hearing scheduled for February.
Workshops will run from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. local time at locations across the state:
• Apalachicola
• Crawfordville
• Stuart
• Jacksonville
• Sebastian
• Titusville
• New Smyrna Beach
• St. Augustine
Virtual webinars are also planned for:
• Panhandle Region
• Big Bend Region
• Tampa Bay Region
• Charlotte Harbor
• Southwest and Southeast Regions
Public comments can be submitted through the FWC Saltwater Public Comments page or by email at Marine@MyFWC.com.
For anglers wanting to review the full details of the meeting and background reports, visit the FWC Commission Meetings page and select “Commission Meetings.” Current recreational regulations for spotted seatrout, along with annual fishery reviews by region, can be found on the FWC’s Spotted Seatrout Regulations page under “Recreational Regulations.”
The FWC says the changes aim to sustain Florida’s seatrout fishery for the long term while adapting to regional variations in habitat and fishing pressure. Public participation, they emphasized, will play a key role in shaping the final rule.
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