FWC approves statewide changes to tripletail and sheepshead management

Posted on April 26, 2018 by Staff reports

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) during its April meeting in Fort Lauderdale approved several changes to the management of tripletail and sheepshead. The changes will go into effect July 1, 2018, and include:

  • Tripletail:
    • Increasing the minimum size limit from 15 to 18 inches total length.
    • Extending all of the FWC’s recreational and commercial regulations for this species into federal waters (including the new size limit).

Learn more about tripletail regulations at MyFWC.com/Fishing by clicking on “Saltwater Fishing.”

  • Sheepshead:
    • Reducing the recreational bag limit from 15 to 8 fish per person, per day year-round.
    • Creating a recreational vessel limit of 50 fish per vessel, per trip during March and April.
    • Extending all of the FWC’s recreational and commercial regulations for this species into federal waters (including the new bag and vessel limits).

Learn more about sheepshead regulations at MyFWC.com/Fishing by clicking on “Saltwater Fishing.”

Additionally, after listening to public comments and discussing the current and future management of goliath grouper in Florida, FWC directed staff to continue current goliath grouper research and management, and develop a road map to direct future conservation efforts. They did not pursue a limited harvest.