Thousands of Florida anglers are shocked and growing angry as they learn of a late-stages proposal before the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission that would allow commercial fishermen to use seine nets (of up to 500 square feet) to collect spotted sea trout throughout state waters.
Currently, commercial fishermen only can harvest sea trout via hook-and-line, and by cast net, with no more than 75 fish collected per boat, per day. The new FWC proposal further seeks to double the current take of commercially caught sea trout of up to 150 fish per boat, per day (with two licensed commercial fishermen aboard a boat, who can use two 500-square foot nets).
Additionally, commercial sale of spotted sea trout (legal fish 15- to 24-inch length) would be lawful year-round under the new regulation. However, there would be regionalized seining seasons, open June through October in the Northeast, for example.
The FWC proposal to legalize commercial sea trout seine netting strikes at the heart of countless recreational fishermen throughout Florida who have been enjoying the best fishing for the popular species many have ever experienced. It’s been a huge uptick in recreational catches following the implementation of the state referendum vote in 1994 to ban gillnetting throughout Florida waters, which passed by an overwhelming 70 percent majority. That ban is generally credited with a huge population boost to state inshore fish species, including bait stocks, red drum, flounder, and a multitude of other species, including spotted sea trout.
Sea trout are the most popular sportfish in Florida. No other fish even comes close. Targeting the spunky, shallow-water and good-eating gamefish species is a big draw everywhere in coastal Florida, for residents, and also for countless thousands of visitors who annually flock to the state for its sun and fishing fun.
It’s also a sportfish many guides throughout the state target with clients to keep them happy catching, and then keep a few fillets at day’s end. Indeed, it has been the bread-and-butter fish for many guides in recent years who live with drastically reduced redfish harvests, as well as tight limits and seasons on many other species, including bottomfish like snapper and sea bass (regulated primarily by the federal government, however, not the FWC).
Included also in the FWC proposed changes to sea trout regulations (slated for final public comment, and presumably FWC implementation vote, in Key Largo on Nov. 16-17) are provisions allowing sport anglers to harvest sea trout year-round.
Thus no more closed-harvest seasons for trout would be in effect, as they currently are in the state’s South Zone now through December. The sea trout season is slated for closure in the Northwest and Northeast zones during February, which would be eliminated by the forthcoming FWC rule changes.
The rationale for opening limited commercial net seining for sea trout, and loosening other trout harvest restrictions, results from a remarkable abundance of sea trout in recent years throughout Florida, especially in the northern part of the state, said Kathy Barco, FWC chairwoman from Jacksonville, who lives on and regularly fishes in the St. Johns River.
“There are several things that are completely misunderstood about these proposed rule changes by many recreational anglers that should be known by everyone in the state who is suddenly upset about new sea trout regulations,” she said. “First, our [FWC] statistical data show that commercial fishing for sea trout results in less than three percent of the total sea trout harvest statewide. The vast majority of sea trout taken in Florida are by recreational anglers.
“Further, our scientific research shows that trout populations are in excellent condition and have far exceeded our expectations for recovery, especially in the northern part of Florida. For that reason, our fisheries biologist staff, and the commission, believes additional sea trout harvest is viable without adversely impacting the species.”
Yet the Coastal Conservation Association of Florida strongly opposes relaxing commercial sea trout regulations.
“What began as a cautious opening on a restored fishery to provide some additional fish to the angling public has evolved into an opportunity for the development of a directed commercial fishery,” wrote Don Roberts, CCA chairman, in a letter to the FWC and Barco. “The tremendous economic and recreational value of sea trout has been recognized by the states of Texas, South Carolina and Alabama, who have accorded sea trout ‘no-sale’ status, and by the state of Georgia, which imposes the same size and bag limits on commercial fishermen that apply to the general public. Unfortunately, the commission [FWC] seems to think that increasing the take of sea trout by commercial fishermen is a good idea.”
Sea trout population data compiled by FWC biologists show fish numbers are about twice what state biologist target goals were just a few years ago, according to Barco. Northeast and Northwest Florida sea trout numbers are especially robust, she said, while South Florida trout populations are considerably less due to angling pressure from a large people population base.
“We have managed for sea trout abundance, and we have attained that. If the fishery can sustain it, and continue to grow, the right thing to do is ease up on regulation. It sounds like what we are doing with seining is unwise, but the commercial side [of sea trout harvest] is just so small, it is not detrimental to the overall fishery.
“Our fisheries staff is very conservative, and they have run the state sea trout populations numbers inside out and upside down. I am comfortable that the resource will not be disrupted [by new FWC rules], and sea trout stewardship will be maintained.”
Some recreational anglers are alarmed that the number of commercial fishermen specifically targeting sea trout for seine net harvest will increase dramatically. But the FWC contends that obtaining proper commercial sea trout harvest licensing is not easy, thus there should be no large spike in new commercial netters pursuing sea trout.
Bud