FWC News Release

Workshops scheduled on plan to help recover traps from marine waters

Contact: Lee Schlesinger, (850) 487-0554

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has scheduled a series of public workshops to get feedback on a proposed plan to help spiny lobster, stone crab and blue crab fishers recover their traps following major storms.

The plan would let licensed trap fishers designate people to recover and possess their traps when the governor and FWC declare an emergency.

The plan also would exempt local, state or federal officials from having to get FWC approval before removing traps, derelict traps and trap debris from areas where trapping is prohibited.

The FWC wants to hear what people think about the plan at the workshops, all of which will take place from 6-8 p.m. as follows:

Monday, May 14
South Miami Community Center
5800 S.W. 66th St.
Miami

Thursday, May 17
Joseph P. D’Alessandro Office Complex
2295 Victoria Ave.
Ft. Myers

Wednesday, May 16
Key Largo School
Middle School Media Center
104801 Overseas Highway
Key Largo

Tuesday, May 22
City Hall Council Chambers
123 N.W. Highway 19
Crystal River

Wednesday, May 16
Harvey Government Center
1200 Truman Ave.
Key West

Wednesday, May 23
St. Marks Volunteer Fire Department
32 Shell Island Rd.
St. Marks

Contact Lee Schlesinger at (850) 487-0554 for more information about the workshops.

Anyone requiring special accommodations to participate in the workshops should advise the FWC at least five calendar days before the workshop by contacting Cindy Hoffman at (850) 488-6411. If you are hearing- or speech-impaired, contact the FWC using the Florida Relay Service at (800) 955-8771 (TTY) or (800) 955-8770 (voice).