CCA FLORIDA
RECOMMENDATIONS
for FWC SPOTTED SEATROUT MANAGEMENT

Recommendations:

Recreational Fishery:

• Remove closed months for the recreational sector in the Northern and Southern zones.

• Maintain current size and bag limit in these zones.

• Remove cast nets from acceptable gear.

Commercial Fishery

• Maintain the three month commercial season with no increase in daily take.

• Maintain the current rule for sale of Seatrout.

• Remove cast nets from acceptable gear.

Comments:
Spotted Seatrout are managed by FWC in four different regions of Florida using a manageable biological goal of 35% spawning potential ratio. The 2010 Spotted Seatrout stock assessment showed that the SPR in all zones was above the management goal of 35% therefore allowing the FWC to propose removing recreational closed fishing months. Removing these closed months will have a positive impact on Florida’s economy.

While giving back to the recreational fisherman helps the economy, CCA does not believe that opening up more months in different areas of the state for commercial fisherman will gain the economic impact needed to justify the increase in take. By opening up two more months in the northeast, southeast, and southwest commercial zones will increase fishing days by 60% therefore increasing take by a comparable percentage while only increasing the recreational take by 8%. If FWC is to open the five months of commercial fishing in the northwest during the winter months it could be harmful to the northwest Seatrout stock.

 During the winter months Seatrout congregate in the deep holes in rivers and creeks and become more susceptible to take from a cast net therefore CCA urges the Commission to remove cast nets as an acceptable method of take in both sectors.

CCA also has great concern over the year long sale of Seatrout. The sale of Seatrout works fine now selling your catch up to five days after the season. The fresh market yields the real money for the commercial fisherman and frozen fish cannot compete with the other imported fresh fish. Having a year around sale can also increase the potential possibility for poaching in both sectors. We would ask that the sale of Seatrout be open only during the open season and up to five to ten days after, just as the current rule states.

Prepared by:
Trip Aukeman CCA Florida Deputy Director
(850) 224-3474