FWC presents proposed freshwater commercial-fisheries rules: electronic trip tickets, quality standards

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission staff described proposed statewide rules intended to address gaps in data on freshwater commercial harvest and lack of quality-control standards. Natalie Howard, the FWC fisheries biologist for Lake Okeechobee, said the proposals would require mandatory electronic trip-ticket reporting to capture the waterbody, species targeted and harvest amounts. “This would collect data related to water body fish, what species you're targeting, how much you harvest, etcetera,” she told the board.

Howard also described proposed quality standards for freshwater harvesters that would require some protection from contaminants, separation from bilge and gas sources, and refrigeration or icing for catch intended for human consumption. She said FWC has done statewide stakeholder engagement and is continuing meetings; the Lake Okeechobee Hallsane program currently has two permit holders and boundary adjustments tied to water levels were discussed.