In this section will showcase some important contact numbers and information that you need to know about Florida fishing as well as guideline updates as they come down straight from the top.

 

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
620 South Meridian Street
Farris Bryant Building
Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600
(850) 488-4676, (850) 488-9542 TDD


Commissioners
Rodney Barreto, Chairman, Miami
David K. Meehan, Vice Chairman, St. Petersburg
Kathy Barco, Jacksonville
Richard A. “Dick” Corbett, Tampa
H.A. “Herky” Huffman, Enterprise
Dwight Stephenson, Delray Beach
Brian S. Yablonski, Tallahassee

Staff
Ken Haddad, Executive Director
Victor J. Heller, Assistant Executive Director
Darlyn Stockfisch, Deputy Chief of Staff
Mark Robson, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries Management

FWC Regional Offices

Northwest Region
3911 Highway 2321
Panama City, FL 32409-1658
(850) 265-3676
Lt. Col. Louie Roberson, Regional Director

North Central Region
3377 East U.S. Highway 90
Lake City, FL 32055-8795
(386) 758-0525
Roland Garcia, Regional Director

Northeast Region
1239 Southwest 10th Street
Ocala, FL 34474-2797
(352) 732-1225
Dennis David, Regional Director

Southwest Region
3900 Drane Field Road
Lakeland, FL 33811-1299
(863) 648-3200
Gregory L. Holder, Regional Director

South Region
8535 Northlake Boulevard
West Palm Beach, FL 33412-3303
(561) 625-5122
Charles E. Collins, Regional Director

Fish and wildlife alert reward program
Report fish and wildlife law violations by calling toll-free 1-888-404-FWCC (3922); on cell phones, dial *FWC or #FWC depending on service carrier.

Division of Law Enforcement (DLE)
The FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement patrols Florida’s coastal waters to provide assistance to boaters and anglers as well as to enforce Florida’s saltwater fishing and boating laws. FWC officers assist boaters who are in distress, provide advice and direction to those who are traveling Florida’s coastline and waterways, and may issue citations for violations of state and federal fishing, wildlife, and boating laws. In emergencies or if state fisheries, wildlife, or boating laws are being violated, call 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) or for cell phone users throughout the state, dial *FWC (*392) depending on your location, or hail on VHF Channel 16.

2007 Commission Meeting Dates and Locations
Subject to change regarding availability of appropriate facilities to hold the meeting.
September 12-14, St. Petersburg
December 5-6, Key Largo
For more information about Commission meeting dates, times, locations, and agendas visit MyFWC.com and click on “Commission Meetings” on the left side of the page

Resource Hotlines
To Report Fish Kills: 800-636-0511
To Report Fish Tags: 800-367-4461
Division of Law Enforcement: 888-404-FWCC (3922)
To report fish and wildlife law violations, call the Wildlife Alert Network: 888-404-FWCC (3922)

Non-Resident Licenses  
Three-Day License...........................................$6.50
Seven-Day License...........................................$16.50
One-Year License..............................................$31.50  

 
Permits
Snook Permit...................................................................$2.00
Five-Year Snook Permit..................................................$10.00
Lobster Permit................................................................$2.00
Five-Year Lobster Permit..............................................................$10.00
Tarpon Tag (available only at tax collector office..................................................$51.50

If you are not required to buy a license, you are not required to buy permits (except tarpon). If you are not required to purchase a fishing license and snook and crawfish permits, you may do so anyway to help support programs that protect and preserve Florida’s marine fisheries resources.  
You Do Not Need A License If You Are: Any child under 16 years of age.
A Florida resident saltwater fishing for recreational purposes from land or a structure fixed to the land—a pier, bridge, dock, floating dock, jetty or similar structure.
Fishing from a for-hire vessel – guide, charter, party boat – that has a valid vessel license or charter captain license.
A holder of a valid saltwater products license.
A Florida resident—65 years old or older and you possess either a Resident Senior Citizen Hunting and Fishing Certificate or proof of age and residency.
A Florida resident who is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, who is not stationed in this state, while on leave for 30 days or less, upon submission of orders. This does not include family members.
Any person who has been accepted as a client for developmental services by the Department of Children and Family Services, provided the department furnishes proof thereof.
A nonresident fishing for recreational purposes from a pier that has a valid pier saltwater fishing license.
Fishing from a boat that has a valid recreational vessel fishing license.
A Florida resident who is fishing for mullet in freshwater – with a valid Florida freshwater fishing license.
A Florida resident fishing for saltwater fish in freshwater from land or a structure fixed to land.
A Florida resident who possesses a Florida Resident Disabled Person Hunting and Fishing Certificate. In order to qualify for this, applicants must provide a certification of total and permanent disability from the United States Armed Forces, Railroad Retirement Board, Florida Worker’s Compensation or the United States Veterans Administration. Alternatively, current documentation from the Social Security Administration for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Supplemental Security Disability Income (SSDI) benefits also will be accepted.
Other Saltwater Fishing Fees   Licenses (Charter Boat or Charter Captain) are required for all vessels that charge a fee (for-hire vessels) to take passengers out to catch marine fish.
Eleven or more customers...................$ 801.50
Ten or less customers...........................$ 401.50
Four or fewer customers......................$ 201.50
Optional fees include the annual Recreational Vessel fee ($2,001.50) for not-for-hire pleasure craft and the annual Pier license ($501.50). For charter licensing information, contact your local county tax collector’s office or visit our Web site at MyFWC.com/marine.
 

Florida Residents
When applying for a saltwater recreational fishing license, you are considered to be a Florida resident if you are:
Any person who has resided in Florida for six continuous months prior to applying for a resident license and who claims Florida as their primary residence.
Any member of the U.S. Armed Forces who is stationed in this state.

Florida Resident Licenses
One-Year License ...........................$13.50
Five-Year License ...........................$61.50
One-Year Gold Sportsman’s License ....................$88.50
One-Year Military Gold Sportsman’s License .......................$20.00

(Offers the same privileges as the Gold Sportsman’s License. Available only to FL residents who are active or retired members of the US Armed Forces, the US Armed Forces Reserve, the FL National Guard, the US Coast Guard or the US Coast Guard Reserve, upon submission of a current military identification card and orders showing you are stationed in FL. Can be purchased at county tax collector’s offices only.)

Combination Licenses
Fishing-Saltwater/Freshwater .......................$25.50
Fishing-Saltwater/Freshwater & Hunting ....................$35.50
Lifetime Saltwater Fishing License
Age: 0–4 ....................$126.50
Age: 5–12 ....................$226.50
Age: 13 or older ....................$301.50

Lifetime Sportsman License
Age: 0–4 ....................$401.50
Age: 5–12 ....................$701.50
Age: 13 or older ....................$1,001.50


Permits


Snook Permit....................$2.00
Five-Year Snook Permit....................$10.00
Lobster Permit ....................$2.00
Five-Year Lobster Permit ....................$10.00
Tarpon Tag (available only at tax collector offices) ....................$51.50

If you are not required to buy a license, you are not required to buy permits (except tarpon).
If you are not required to purchase a fishing license and snook and crawfish permits, you may do so anyway to help support programs that protect and preserve Florida’s marine fisheries resources.


Gold Sportsman’s License

(Valid for One-Year includes Hunting, Saltwater Fishing and Freshwater Fishing licenses; and Wildlife Management Area, Archery, Muzzleloading Gun, Turkey and Florida Waterfowl, Snook, Crossbow and Crawfish Permits) . . . $88.50.

Florida residents may buy a lifetime saltwater fishing license or a lifetime sportsman license. Holders of lifetime saltwater fishing licenses may fish in saltwater for life and will pay no additional fees. The lifetime license fee includes the taking of snook or crawfish — which would otherwise require a separate fee. A lifetime sportsman license allows holders to fish in freshwater or saltwater and to hunt in Florida. Both of these licenses require holders to obey fishing or hunting laws in effect at any given time.

Other Saltwater Fishing Fees
Licenses (Charter Boat or Charter Captain) are required for all vessels that charge a fee (for-hire vessels) to take passengers out to catch marine fish.

Eleven or more customers ....................$ 801.50
Ten or less customers. ....................$ 401.50
Four or fewer customers ....................$ 201.50


Optional fees include the annual Recreational Vessel fee ($2,001.50) for not-for-hire pleasure craft and the annual Pier license ($501.50). For charter licensing information, contact your local county tax collector’s office or visit our Web site at MyFWC.com/marine.



You Do Not Need A License If You Are:

Any child under 16 years of age.
A Florida resident saltwater fishing for recreational purposes from land or a structure fixed to the land—a pier, bridge, dock, floating dock, jetty or similar structure.
Fishing from a for-hire vessel – guide, charter, party boat – that has a valid vessel license or charter captain license.
A holder of a valid saltwater products license.
A Florida resident—65 years old or older and you possess either a Resident Senior Citizen Hunting and Fishing Certificate or proof of age and residency.
A Florida resident who is a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, who is not stationed in this state, while on leave for 30 days or less, upon submission of orders. This does not include family members.
Any person who has been accepted as a client for developmental services by the Department of Children and Family Services, provided the department furnishes proof thereof.
A nonresident fishing for recreational purposes from a pier that has a valid pier saltwater fishing license.
Fishing from a boat that has a valid recreational vessel fishing license.
A Florida resident who is fishing for mullet in freshwater – with a valid Florida freshwater fishing license.
A Florida resident fishing for saltwater fish in freshwater from land or a structure fixed to land.
A Florida resident who possesses a Florida Resident Disabled Person Hunting and Fishing Certificate. In order to qualify for this, applicants must provide a certification of total and permanent disability from the United States Armed Forces, Railroad Retirement Board, Florida Worker’s Compensation or the United States Veterans Administration. Alternatively, current documentation from the Social Security Administration for Supplemental Security Income (SSI) or Supplemental Security Disability Income (SSDI) benefits also will be accepted.

Costs for Licenses:

License, permit, and issuance fees and exemptions changed following the 2007 Legislative session. The fee changes will take place October 1, 2007, after these regulations are printed. For up-to-date license information, visit: MyFWC.com/license. In addition to the cost of licenses and permits specified in this section, license agents charge a 50-cent issuance fee for selling licenses or permits.

How your license fee helps


The money collected from saltwater fishing licenses is used to improve and restore fish habitat and for marine fisheries research, law enforcement, and public education on marine resources. An additional $.50 subagents fee will be charged for any license or permit not purchased directly from the county tax collector. Obtain immediate license privileges, 24 hours a day, at MyFWC.com/license or by calling toll-free 1-888 FISH FLORIDA (347-4356). Processing fees will apply to telephone and Internet sales.

Saltwater Fishing in Florida

Saltwater fishing licenses are sold at all county tax collectors’ offices and at many license agents. Licenses may also be obtained over the telephone by dialing toll-free, 1-888 FISH FLORIDA (347-4356). For those with Internet access, licenses are now available online at MyFWC.com. An additional fee is charged for these services. For any recreational licensing information not contained in this publication, please go to MyFWC.com/license or call your local county tax collector office.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) will implement two new programs by January of 2008 to promote the conservation of fisheries stocks and essential fisheries habitats by recognizing through a certification process those who voluntarily practice fisheries and habitat protection methods specified by FWC that are beyond those required by law.

The “Conservation Captain” (CC) program is designed for recreational fishing guides and the “Conservation Angler” (CA) is for all other saltwater fishermen.

Many of the qualifying criteria are the same for both programs including those for boat operation, waste disposal, fisheries conservation, dolphin conservation and fishing etiquette. Boat operation criteria address safe, pollution free boating in a manner that avoids habitat destruction. Waste disposal covers all wastes including fish parts, fishing line, petroleum products and trash. Fisheries conservation criteria address fish handling techniques to increase the survivability of released fish. Catch and release is required to the extent that harvesting a legal limit of any species of fish, which has a limit of more than one fish per day, is not allowed for the participants of both programs or the clients of the CCs.
The main difference in the qualification criteria for these two programs is that the CCs must demonstrate a certain degree of competency as a fishing guide based on past experience and success. The CCs also must have liability insurance that covers clients, have a U.S. Coast Guard Captain’s license, be a Florida resident, and provide questionnaires to their clients that will be sent directly to FWC to aid in monitoring compliance with program requirements.
Both of these programs are aimed at addressing the most critical factor in determining the quality of recreational fishing in the future, which is public acceptance of stewardship responsibility for the state’s marine resources. Recreational fishing interest is increasing rapidly in Florida, thus creating additional pressure on the fish stocks. The resultant higher numbers of vessels used by fishermen on state waters are causing more habitat destruction. The voluntary participation of people who are often on state waters will enhance the protection of fish and fish habitat by their use of proven strategies and teaching them to others. The demonstration and emphasis of the importance of these techniques will serve to educate current and future generations about natural resource conservation.
The marine fisheries resources will be enhanced by providing additional protection for the fish and their habitats. Past practices used by fishermen will be altered to ameliorate the cumulative impacts on the resources due to the vast increase in the numbers of fishermen of today. Hence, the traditional practices will be adjusted to meet contemporary circumstances, which is the goal sought by natural resource outreach and education efforts.
Participants will benefit by improving the fishery as a result of their practicing conservation strategies, and by teaching those tactics to others. The guides will also benefit by being recognized as professional fishermen who are willing to protect the fishery and aquatic habitats by practicing management techniques that are beyond those required by law, thus attracting clients interested in hiring a guide who is genuinely committed to conservation. CC and CA members will also benefit by being a recognized on the FWC website, and by displaying the decals provided by FWC signifying their FWC certification. The CCs will also receive a flag from FWC with the CC logo. The website will provide the opportunity for the captain to specify achievements such as world records, multiple grand slams, and any other fishing achievements deemed important by the captain in demonstrating his/her competency as a fishing guide.
The general public will benefit by observing the practice of fisheries and habitat protection, thus learning how they can contribute to improved natural resource management. They will benefit, too, by contributing to the creation of a higher quality of fishing resulting from the use of more effective fisheries and habitat management strategies.

Florida’s artificial reef locations continue to grow, providing more habitat for diverse marine species, and a variety of places to visit for fishing. Listed below are the most recent additions to Florida’s artificial reefs. There are now over 2,400 deployments throughout the Gulf and Atlantic coasts.
ESCAMBIA COUNTY
DEPLOY DATE	REEF NAME	LATITUDE	LONGITUDE	DESCRIPTION	DEPTH	RELIEF
5/15/07	Interstate 10 Bridge Reef Site#2	30° 06.743’ N	87° 25.413’ W	~1000 tons of concrete bridge spans	75	5
4/30/07	Paolo’s Reef	30° 06.125’ N	87° 10.595’ W	70 pieces of concrete junctions boxes and pipes	109	5
4/30/07	Ecua Steel Water Pipes	30° 05.025’ N	87° 11.015’ W	160 2ft diameter steel water pipes	96	5
4/1/07	Gulf Breeze Sertoma	30° 06.760’ N	87° 11.515’ W	7 Walter Florida limestone	91	12
4/1/07	Susan Tay Fruitticher Reef	30° 03.796’ N	87° 11.521’ W	8 Walter Florida limestone	92	12
2/26/07	Pensacola Bay Fishing Bridge Reef Site #2	30° 06.732’ N	87° 12.239’ W	4500 tons of concrete bridge spans	113	5
2/17/07	Pensacola Bay Fishing Bridge Reef Site#1	30° 06.723’ N	87° 09.673’ W	8000 tons of concrete bridge spans	113	5
2/8/07	David Brogan Reef-(I-10,site #1)	30° 06.750’ N	87° 24.250’ W	5000 tons of concrete bridge spans	75	5
5/12/03	Fwc-ee-1 Module	30° 03.006’ N	87° 04.880’ N	1 Walter Florida Special Module	113	10
5/12/03	Fwc-ee-2 Module	30° 05.255’ N	87° 06.781’ N	1 Walter Florida Special Module	84	10
5/13/03	Fwc-ee-3 Module	30° 04.598’ N	87° 08.657’ N	1 Walter Florida Special Module	86	10
6/2/03	Fwc-ee-4 Module	30° 01.419’ N	87° 10.195’ N	2 Fish Haven Towers & Fish Haven Junior Inserts	100	6
6/2/03	Fwc-ee-5 Module	30° 05.129’ N	87° 06.402’ N	2 Fish Haven Towers & Fish Haven Junior Inserts	86	6
6/2/03	Fwc-ee-6 Module	30° 03.278’ N	87° 05.557’ N	2 Fish Haven Towers & Fish Haven Junior Inserts	98	6
6/24/03	Fwc-ee-7 Module	30° 01.462’ N	87° 09.373’ N	2 Goliath Reefballs	97	4.75
6/25/03	Fwc-ee-8 Module	30° 02.931’ N	87° 05.101’ N	2 Goliath Reefballs	113	4.75
6/25/03	Fwc-ee-9 Module	30° 05.404’ N	87° 07.126’ N	2 Goliath Reefballs	84	4.75
PALM BEACH COUNTY
DEPLOY DATE	REEF NAME	LATITUDE	LONGITUDE	DESCRIPTION