NEWS RELEASE
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
620 South Meridian Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600 (850) 488-4676
FAX (850) 488-1961 Web site: MyFWC.com
February 2, 2006
FWC CONCURS WITH TORTUGAS
PARK FISHING REGULATIONS
CONTACT: Lee Schlesinger (850) 487-0554
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) concurred Thursday with proposed National Park Service (NPS) Special Regulations related to marine fishing in Dry Tortugas National Park. These regulations are being developed as part of the NPSs General Management Plan for the Park that was approved in 2001 but has not been fully implemented.
Dry Tortugas National Park lies entirely within Florida waters, however, an agreement reached in September 2005 between the State of Florida and the NPS allows the NPS to manage submerged lands within the Park. The FWC concurs with proposed new special regulations for the park, and with consolidating and clarifying current park marine fishing regulations.
A key element of the proposed NPS General Management Plan for the park is the closure of approximately 46 square miles to all fishing, spearing and boat-anchoring. However, vessels with park permits would be allowed to tie up to mooring buoys for wildlife viewing, snorkeling, and diving activities. Recreational fishing would still be allowed in 50 square miles of the park, and the entire park would remain closed to commercial fishing, lobster harvesting, and spearfishing.
The FWC supports the proposed closed area in the park because these diverse shallow-water habitats will complement the deeper habitats of the adjacent Tortugas Ecological Reserve, important reef fish species will benefit from protection from harvest, and the resulting increase in species diversity and abundance is expected to benefit the Tortugas, the Florida Keys and beyond.
Protection of this unique and remote natural area is nationally significant and we are acting on the side of caution, said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto. While we agree with a closure to fishing and its scientific importance, we must also ensure the objectives of a fishing closure are met and we will monitor this area closely for progress and success.
The Commission intends to work closely with the NPS and others to set clear performance measures and establish a time frame for examining the effects of the closure.
The FWC also concurs with other fishery components of the special regulations, because they consolidate or clarify park regulations which are supported by existing Florida marine fisheries regulations and management.
The NPS will continue its rulemaking process in the coming months. The Commission indicated that it would reconsider its concurrence with the proposed NPS regulations if substantial changes to the draft regulations are made.
Information regarding proposed regulations is available by contacting the superintendent of Dry Tortugas National Park at (305) 242-7700.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
620 South Meridian Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-1600 (850) 488-4676
FAX (850) 488-1961 Web site: MyFWC.com
February 2, 2006
FWC CONCURS WITH TORTUGAS
PARK FISHING REGULATIONS
CONTACT: Lee Schlesinger (850) 487-0554
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) concurred Thursday with proposed National Park Service (NPS) Special Regulations related to marine fishing in Dry Tortugas National Park. These regulations are being developed as part of the NPSs General Management Plan for the Park that was approved in 2001 but has not been fully implemented.
Dry Tortugas National Park lies entirely within Florida waters, however, an agreement reached in September 2005 between the State of Florida and the NPS allows the NPS to manage submerged lands within the Park. The FWC concurs with proposed new special regulations for the park, and with consolidating and clarifying current park marine fishing regulations.
A key element of the proposed NPS General Management Plan for the park is the closure of approximately 46 square miles to all fishing, spearing and boat-anchoring. However, vessels with park permits would be allowed to tie up to mooring buoys for wildlife viewing, snorkeling, and diving activities. Recreational fishing would still be allowed in 50 square miles of the park, and the entire park would remain closed to commercial fishing, lobster harvesting, and spearfishing.
The FWC supports the proposed closed area in the park because these diverse shallow-water habitats will complement the deeper habitats of the adjacent Tortugas Ecological Reserve, important reef fish species will benefit from protection from harvest, and the resulting increase in species diversity and abundance is expected to benefit the Tortugas, the Florida Keys and beyond.
Protection of this unique and remote natural area is nationally significant and we are acting on the side of caution, said FWC Chairman Rodney Barreto. While we agree with a closure to fishing and its scientific importance, we must also ensure the objectives of a fishing closure are met and we will monitor this area closely for progress and success.
The Commission intends to work closely with the NPS and others to set clear performance measures and establish a time frame for examining the effects of the closure.
The FWC also concurs with other fishery components of the special regulations, because they consolidate or clarify park regulations which are supported by existing Florida marine fisheries regulations and management.
The NPS will continue its rulemaking process in the coming months. The Commission indicated that it would reconsider its concurrence with the proposed NPS regulations if substantial changes to the draft regulations are made.
Information regarding proposed regulations is available by contacting the superintendent of Dry Tortugas National Park at (305) 242-7700.
