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FWC regional biologist outlines holistic fisheries management, says red drum metrics are "doing pretty well" in the Panhandle
Summary
An FWC regional biologist presented the agency's holistic fisheries-management approach, described data sources (stock assessments, fisheries-independent monitoring, stakeholder surveys), and said red drum escapement metrics in the Panhandle are at or above targets; the presentation encouraged public input and noted a regional boundary shift that added Franklin County.
A regional biologist with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) briefed the council on the agency’s holistic fisheries-management approach for inshore species, explaining how stock assessments, fisheries-independent monitoring and stakeholder feedback are combined to set regional rules.
Using red drum as a case study, the presenter said escapement in the Florida Panhandle is "well above the escapement target for redfish," noted relative abundance and stable legal-size abundance trends, and said the agency divides the state into nine management regions to tailor regulations. The presenter also discussed harmful algal blooms, effort and landings trends, and encouraged stakeholders to send comments to marine@myfwc. Committee members asked about tagging studies and about a recent boundary shift that added Franklin County into the Northwest management region for consistency across species.
