The Anna Maria Island Sun Newspaper

Vol. 15 No. 27 - April 29, 2015

reel time

Anglers can aid reef study

Reel time

rusty chinnis | sun

Aaron Lowman holds a yellowtail and a mangrove snapper landed
on a reef off Anna Maria Island.

 

Gulf coast anglers have long thought that they are being misrepresented when it comes to allocating catch shares of reef species in the Gulf of Mexico. Now they will be able to help provide the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission (FWC) a clearer picture of the number of people who are targeting reef fish like grouper, mangrove snapper and red snapper. In this survey, they also will be able to relate what they are experiencing on the water.

Anglers can sign up to participate in the easy, no cost process that will hopefully help the FWC gain a better understanding of the various processes at work that impact the fishery with the aim to protect viable stocks of red and vermillion snapper, red and black grouper, grey triggerfish, greater and lesser amberjack, almaco Jacks and banded rudderfish.

The survey is targeting anglers fishing in the Gulf (excluding Monroe County) from a private recreational boat who plan to harvest and land the aforementioned species. Those being excluded from the survey include anglers 16 years of age and under and those fishing from a boat that has a vessel recreational license.

Anglers can sign up for the survey online by visiting www.license.myfwc.com. When on the page, enter your birth of date and a required “Lookup Method.” This identifier can be a FWC customer’s ID, a driver’s license number or a Social Security number. After clicking continue if you are a new customer, you will be required to create a customer number before proceeding to the next steps. Once in the system click on “Purchase a License.” You can then add the no cost Gulf Reef Angler to your cart, found under “Saltwater Fishing” and then check out. Print a copy to take when you go fishing.

Fishermen who want to participate can also sign up in person at sporting goods stores, tackle shops and their local tax collector’s office. Another way to sign up is by phoning 1-888-347-4356. Renewal for participants will be on an annual basis. If you’re a Florida resident and exempt from needing a saltwater license, you can still participate. Just click “Purchase a License” and you can sign up as a “Gulf Reef Angler” for no cost. You can also sign up at the other venues mentioned.

The program should help researchers better determine the number of people in Florida who target reef fish in the Gulf of Mexico. Some of those who sign up will be contacted by the FWC and asked if they would be willing to provide information about their Gulf reef fish fishing activities. The survey should improve recreational data collection, giving the FWC a more realistic picture of what is happening on the water and therefore allow for more informed fisheries management decisions.

Anglers who do provide information about their Gulf reef fish fishing activities will be entered into a drawing to win an annual, five-year or lifetime recreational saltwater fishing license. To find out more about the Survey, visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater,” “Recreational Regulations” and then “Gulf Reef Fish Survey.” This is a good opportunity for recreational reef anglers’ to have an impact on the formation of more reasonable regulations.


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