Bay County, Fla. -
In an effort to restore the gag grouper population, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission issued new regulations that cut the season in half. But the question is how will those changes impact us locally?
The new regulation raises questions among fisherman, who have been fighting to have a longer red snapper season--- a plentiful fish. But authorities have issued more fishing days for the gag grouper----a fish that is overfished.
Last week, the FWC Commission agreed to shorten the gag grouper season to allow the stock to rebuild to healthy levels. The recreational season will open on July 1st and run till October 31st. Fishermen agree with the changes, but say there is a large disconnect between surveyors and everyday fisherman.
"The gag grouper needs help, it's in trouble and I'll agree with that and I think every fisherman down here will." Captain Mark Kelley says.
"They are giving us 123 days for gag grouper which is quite a bit, in a fishery that they consider depleted. But with all the red snapper, they are only giving us 40 days." Pam Anderson, Captain Anderson's Marina says.
This year's red snapper season is scheduled to open on June 1st. There's no word yet on it's closure date.
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