Red snapper workshop in Mobile
The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council will hold a series of public workshops to gather input on Amendment 45, which is the red snapper recreational sector separation sunset provision.
This amendment considers management alternatives to extend or eliminate the red snapper sector separation sunset provision.
There will be seven workshops held next week with the closest one taking place Wednesday May 25 at the Renaissance Mobile Riverview Plaza Hotel located at 64 South Water Street in Mobile, AL.
Other workshops will be held in Biloxi, MS, St. Petersburg, FL, Panama City, FL, Corpus Christi, TX, League City, TX, and Gretna, LA. All workshops will begin at 6 p.m. and conclude no later than 9 p.m.
For those who cannot attend one of the workshops there will be an online webinar Tuesday May 31 at 6 p.m.
You may also submit comments online by going to gulfcouncil.org. All written comments should be received on or before Friday June 8.
Stone crab season
The commercial and recreational harvest of stone crab claws in Florida closed on May 16. This closure occurs each year during the species’ peak spawning season to help protect and sustain Florida’s valuable stone crab resource.
Stone crab traps must be removed from the water within five days after the close of the stone crab season unless a special extension is granted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Stone crab season will reopen later this year on October 15. More details on stone crabs regulations can be found at myfwc.com.