[dropcap]I[/dropcap]f you are among the 750,000-plus Florida bass anglers, now is the time to provide your opinion about Florida’s proposed change to largemouth bass conservation by filling out a new online survey.
The change being considered is a five-bass daily bag limit, only one of which may be 16-inches in total length or longer. This means that each person would be allowed to keep up to five largemouth bass less than 16-inches, or four largemouth bass less than 16-inches and one largemouth bass 16-inches or longer each day.
This change would replace current length limits, but would not alter the current statewide bag limit of five bass.
Largemouth bass – Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission photo.
To take the survey and to learn more about largemouth bass, and current and possible future management changes, go here and select the “Speak out on bass rules!” link under the bass image near the middle of the page. Based on public input and future edits to the proposal, the earliest this rule change is expected to be implemented is July 2016.
“The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) takes public opinions very seriously,” said Tom Champeau, director of the Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management. “Combined with the best science and case studies that we have to go on, public input helps us strive for optimal sustained use of these popular and valuable fish.”
In 2011 the Black Bass Management Plan was approved, based on comments from more than 7,500 anglers and a series of Technical Advisory Group meetings involving Florida guides, tournament anglers, marina owners, trophy bass fishermen, outdoor writers and tourism representatives.
The plan encouraged FWC biologists to develop the least restrictive regulations feasible to enhance trophy bass fisheries, maintain healthy bass populations statewide, and provide diverse angling opportunities. Public input encouraged controlling the number of big bass taken from the wild and enhancing angler satisfaction. Based on a review of biological and sociological data that included almost 6,000 public responses to a preliminary survey and open-house events around the state, the FWC is seeking additional feedback on the proposed change to create a basic statewide regulation for largemouth bass.
To read more click here . . .
