http://www.myfwc.com/license.html

http://myfwc.com/fishing/Fishes/threatened.html

JF Griffin - Index

JF Griffin - magazine - Index

F.A.Q.
(continued from page 29)
from 15 April to 31 July. In addition, no softshell turtles nor their eggs
may be taken from the wild during the period 1 May to 31 July, and
no person shall possess more than 50 eggs taken from the wild in the
aggregate of species of freshwater turtle native to Florida except as
authorized by permit from the Executive Director.
What regulations apply to clams, mussels and other mollusks?
Answer: Regulations governing taking and possession of freshwater
mussels are covered by 68A-23.015 FAC. In summary, “Taking” live or
dead freshwater mussels for the purpose of sale, as well as “selling”, is
prohibited. Bag Limit: No person shall take more than 10 freshwater
mussels, or 20 half-shells of the families Unionidae and Margaritiferidae
(phylum Mollusca, Class Pelecypoda) per day. Additionally, no person
may possess more than two days’ bag limit (20 individual, 40 half-shells)
of any mussels of these families. Any deviation to these restrictions
requires a permit from the Executive Director, in accordance with
68A-9.002 FAC (see illustrations, page 11).
■ Freshwater mussels from families other than the two mentioned
above, such as the Asian clam, may be taken for bait or personal use.
No recreational license needed.
■ Mussels may only be taken by “hand-picking”. Use of brailles, crowfoot
bars, or other mechanical methods is prohibited.
What regulations apply to harvesting fish for home aquaria?
Answer: The rules and regulations for recreational take and possession
apply. You cannot be in possession, or your aquarium be in
possession, of more than these limits. Legal methods of collecting and
license requirements also apply. You need a freshwater fishing license
to take (defined as “taking, attempting to take, pursuing, hunting, molesting,
capturing, or killing any freshwater fish, their nests or eggs, by
any means, whether or not such actions result in obtaining possession
of such freshwater fish or their nests or eggs”). Avoid taking Florida’s
endangered species. A list of them can be found at
MyFWC.com/Fishing/Fishes/threatened.html.
•Save money ($6-20 or more depending on where you buy your license).
•Contribute to resource conservation−all of your money goes to FWC
for fish and wildlife conservation and is spread over the next five years to
help stabilize agency funding for habitat management, stocking, boating
access, boating safety, outreach and education, fisheries law enforcement,
artificial reefs and more.
•Lock in the price−future fee increases won’t impact you for at least
five years.
How do I use total length and girth to estimate bass weight?
Answer: When you don’t have a scale, you can use total length and
girth to get a rough estimate of a bass’ weight. See the figure on page
12 for how to measure total length and girth, then use the following
formula: Total Length (in inches) – squared, times girth (in inches)
divided by 1200. For example, a 22” long bass with a girth of 15” would
weigh about 6.1 pounds (22 x 22 x 15 / 1200 = 6.1).
What is the penalty for fishing without a license, keeping too
many fish or illegal sized fish?
Answer: Generally, noncriminal infractions involve license or permit
violations, motor size issues or measurement violations related to fish.
Second degree misdemeanors are criminal acts and typically involve
taking fish it is illegal to take, fishing in areas that are closed, using
illegal gear or counting violations (more than the bag limit). Failure
to pay a noncriminal penalty (similar to a traffic ticket) within 30 days
also escalates the charge to a second degree misdemeanor. Forgery
of a license or use of a forged license is a third degree felony. Florida
Statutes outline the range of penalties; for instance a second degree
misdemeanor is punishable by up to $500 and/or 60 days imprisonment
at the discretion of the court.
What is the economic value of freshwater fishing in Florida?
Answer: In 2006, the U.S. Census Bureau did a “National Survey
of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Related Recreation” to determine the
amount of participation and economic impact of these outdoor activities
nationwide. Freshwater fishing in Florida was estimated to generate
$1.4 billion in retail sales, which produced an economic impact of $2.4
billion. This economic boon to the state of Florida sustains 23,480 jobs
and provided recreation for 1.4 million anglers (resident and nonresident),
who spent 24.5 million days fishing.
Overall (freshwater and saltwater combined) Florida ranks number
one in In-State Anglers (2.8 million vs. #2 Texas with 2.5 million), Days
of Fishing in State 46.3 million vs. #2 Texas with 41.1 million), Days of
Fishing by Nonresidents (4.8 million vs. #2 Wisconsin with 3.8 million),
Number of Nonresident Anglers (885 thousand vs. #2 Wisconsin with
381 thousand) and total angler expenditures ($4.4 billion vs. #2 Texas
with $3.4 billion).
No wonder Florida is the “Fishing Capital of the World!”
A Five-Year Fishing License
Is Five Years of Fun!
•Get tax money you paid on tackle and motor boat fuels back from the
Feds−each paid license counts for five-years and recovers more money
for sportfish restoration in Florida.
•Added convenience−no need to wonder if your license is active for five
years. We will try to contact you via mail or e-mail when it expires.
•Buy your 5-year license anywhere licenses are sold including online at
MyFWC.com/License.html or by calling 1-888-FISH-FLOrida.
30 2008-2009 Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission