Tag: FWC
-
A recent change to Florida’s fishing license rules is drawing criticism from charter captains and fishing guides who say the new policy creates unnecessary hurdles for out-of-state tourists. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recently updated its rules so that non-residents can no longer purchase short-term three-day or seven-day recreational fishing licenses online. Visitors…
·
-
Florida wildlife officials have confirmed a second case of chronic wasting disease in the state after a road-killed white-tailed deer tested positive for the fatal illness. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reported that the infected deer was a 1.5-year-old female found in Holmes County, located approximately 0.7 miles from the state’s first confirmed…
·
-
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has concluded its 2025 Python Challenge, a 10-day competition designed to raise awareness and reduce the spread of invasive wildlife in South Florida. This year’s event set a new record, with participants removing 294 Burmese pythons from the region. Grand prize winner Taylor Stanbury took home $10,000 after…
·
-
Pasco County’s bay scallop season has been put on hold after state officials detected elevated levels of contaminants in the water. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) announced the precautionary suspension, citing health concerns. A similar pause occurred during the 2024 season. The impacted area stretches from the Hernando-Pasco county line south to…
·
-
Florida is stepping up efforts to clean its waterways with a new law targeting derelict vessels, as well as illegal anchoring. Gov. Ron DeSantis recently signed Senate Bill 164, which increases penalties for boaters who abandon or improperly anchor their vessels. The law, effective July 1, imposes fines starting at $100 and, in more severe…
·
-
Get ready to cast a line without a license this weekend as the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) hosts its license-free freshwater fishing event on June 14 and 15. “Take your dad or your kids out fishing and explore the many recreational freshwater fishing opportunities Florida has to offer,” FWC encouraged in a…
·
-
Now’s the time to inspect your yard—especially if you have pets. Toxic cane toads are a growing concern across Florida, posing a serious risk to dogs and cats. These invasive toads secrete a potent toxin from large glands on their shoulders when threatened. If a pet bites or licks one, it can become seriously ill—and…
·
-
Nearly 900 derelict boats have been left in Florida’s waterways since 2020, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). These vessels, often sunken or abandoned, pose both environmental and safety risks across the state. Stephanie Price, who manages an RV park near Fort Myers Beach, encountered the problem firsthand. “One of them,…
·
-
Alligators play a vital role in Florida’s ecosystems, but during nesting season, their behavior can become more aggressive—especially among females protecting their nests. Beginning in early April and continuing through June, alligator breeding season is in full swing. Female alligators are particularly territorial during this time and will guard their nests fiercely. “If you’re walking…
·
-
Researchers at the University of South Florida’s St. Petersburg campus have made a historic discovery—the first to identify viruses within red tide blooms. Their groundbreaking findings could offer new ways to predict and control red tide, which, while naturally occurring, wreaks havoc on coastal economies, devastates marine life with fish kills and more, and triggers…
·
-
The Florida panther death toll for 2025 climbed higher with the fourth fatality recorded on March 10. This follows a troubling 2024, when the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission documented 36 panther deaths. Environmental groups, such as The Nature Conservancy, expressed concern over the endangered species’ plight but remain committed to collaborating with state…
·
-
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has announced this spring’s license-free freshwater fishing weekend, set for April 5 and 6. This event provides residents and visitors the opportunity to enjoy Florida’s diverse freshwater fishing spots without needing a license. Two family-friendly fishing events will take place during the weekend: Tenoroc Fish Management Area…
·
-
Beachgoers at Lido Beach were met with an unsettling sight as dead fish lined the shore, stretching as far as the eye could see. Some visitors paused to take photos, while others observed the scene in silence. “When we first walked in from the back of the beach, we immediately noticed a line of dead…
·
-
A massive red tide bloom, stretching over 200 miles from Tampa Bay to Key West, has moved ashore along much of Southwest Florida’s coastline. The concentration of Karenia brevis, the organism responsible for red tide, varies across the region—weak in some areas but dense enough in others to stain the blue-green waters a burnt orange…
·
-
After several weeks of medium and high toxin concentrations, red tide is showing signs of decline in Sarasota, Manatee, and Pinellas counties. Sarasota County has experienced a significant improvement, with toxin levels dropping to background concentrations for the first time in weeks. County-specific observations reveal: During the past week, Sarasota County’s coastal waters continued to…
·
-
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2024 saw the highest number of Florida panther deaths in eight years, with a total of 36 panthers killed, surpassing the 42 deaths recorded in 2016. The year’s final reported death was a 2-year-old male struck by a vehicle in Lee County on December 26, marking…
·
-
Red tide from the Gulf of Mexico has extended into Tampa Bay, with low concentrations of the marine toxin detected in multiple locations off the St. Petersburg coastline, according to a report issued Wednesday by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Affected Areas The report highlights four key locations in St. Petersburg where…
·
-
This year is shaping up to be the deadliest for Florida panthers since 2016. Over 10% of the known panther population has died so far, primarily due to vehicle collisions on increasingly busy roads in southwest Florida. To date, 32 panthers have been killed, with most fatalities occurring as they attempted to cross highways. Traci…
·
-
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s latest water sampling reveals the region’s red tide continuing to move southward in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Experts suggest seasonal weather conditions largely influence the shifting pattern. Professor emeritus Bob Weisberg from the University of South Florida, a leading researcher in red tide dynamics, explains…
·
-
Florida’s manatee population shows promising signs of recovery, with baby manatee deaths dropping to approximately 28% of total mortality as of late November, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). The state has recorded 517 manatee deaths in 2024, with 144 being newborn calves. While this number is higher than in previous…
·
-
Red tide continues to affect beaches in southern Pinellas, Manatee, and Sarasota counties. However, persistent north winds could push much of the algae bloom to the south over the coming week. This week, medium concentrations of the toxin were detected at Pass-a-Grille and New Pass Dock on Sarasota Bay. Lighter amounts were found at Fort…
·
-
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has recovered $1 million worth of gold coins stolen from the wrecks of Spanish treasure ships that sank off Florida’s coast during a hurricane in 1715. A member of a family that discovered a ‘treasure trove’ of 101 coins from these wrecks has been accused of selling…
·
-
As if the cold weather weren’t enough, there’s another reason to think twice about heading to the beach: red tide persists in the Tampa Bay area, particularly in Manatee and Sarasota counties. This week, high concentrations of the toxin were detected near the 10th Street Pier in Bradenton and the Longboat Pass boat ramp. Further…
·
-
Siesta Key residents are on high alert following a series of recent coyote attacks and sightings, including one that led to the death of a small dog. The incidents have prompted a community-wide discussion on safety, with some neighbors and leaders describing the situation as reaching crisis levels. Officials from the Florida Fish and Wildlife…
·
-
An 11-year-old girl from Florida, Brooke Mejeur, tragically lost her life after being thrown overboard and fatally struck by a boat’s propeller on Palm Beach County’s Lake Osborne. Brooke was on a 20-foot pontoon boat with two unnamed adults and two unnamed minors when she was accidentally ejected. The boat’s bow suddenly dropped without warning,…
·
-
As winter approaches, manatees in Florida are beginning their seasonal migration to warmer waters. “As fall temperatures drop, manatees start making their way to Florida springs, power plant discharge areas, and other warm-water sites to overwinter until temperatures rise again in the spring,” explains Michelle Pasawicz, Coordinator of the Manatee Management Program for the Florida…
·
-
Red tide, initially found in low concentrations around Pinellas County before Hurricane Helene, has surged following the storm’s aftermath. (image credit FWC) Chris Robbins, the associate director of science for the Ocean Conservancy, confirmed a strong link between storms and red tide. Meteorologists predict Hurricane Milton, now a Category 5, will hit the area by…
·
-
Pinellas County, along with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), is actively monitoring red tide levels across various areas in the county. (photo credit WUSF) According to officials, moderate concentrations of red tide have been observed near St. Pete Beach, Madeira Beach, and the Dunedin Causeway, while lower levels were detected off Pass-a-Grille,…
·