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Welcome to the Florida Guides Association
Below is the latest news related to the Florida Guides Association and other topics related to fishing and boating in the state of Florida. Check back here often to stay up-to-date with the latest. You can support us and our mission to protect the Florida fisheries by becoming a member.
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04 September 2010
Posted in
News
On August 23, the Center for Biological Diversity and four other organizations petitioned the EPA to ban lead shot, bullets and all lead in fishing tackle under the Toxic Substances Control Act. Members of the fishing industry are quite concerned about the issue.
The petitioning groups claim potential deaths of waterbirds from lead ingestion as their main reason for requesting the ban. On August 27, the EPA denied a section of the petition regarding ammunition but is still considering the proposed ban on lead fishing gear.
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04 September 2010
Posted in
News
During January 2010 FWC received hundreds of reports from anglers, fishing guides, and the general public regarding dead snook presumed to have been killed by cold weather and low water temperatures.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission took a proactive and precautionary measure aimed at protecting surviving snook during their spring reproductive season by issuing an executive order on January 15 that temporarily extended closed harvest seasons for snook statewide until September 1.
Today the commission reached a split decision on the future snook seasons. Capt. Pat Kelly, President of Florida Guides Association was in attendance at the meeting. He reports that of the four options present by the FWC Staff, the commissioners chose Option C for the east coast and Option D for the west coast.
Option C, adopted for Florida’s east coast, will open snook in 2010, but reclose again for the spring of 2011. Specifically, this option would reopen snook on September 17 and then snook season will close again under the current regulations on December 15 on the Atlantic coast. In 2011, this option would keep snook closed from January through August in order to protect the fish during the winter months and during spawning months.
Option D, adopted for the west coast would keep harvest of snook closed through spring 2011. Specifically, this option would keep snook closed for the remainder of 2010 and also through August 2011. Snook harvest would reopen on both coasts on September 1, 2011.
The complete presentation prepared by the FWC staff, including all four options can be viewed by clicking here.
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20 July 2010
Posted in
News
Update - Latest News on Legislation
Could Authorize New Taxes on Your Services on Navigable Waters
You still have time to respond to sales tax issue in H.R. 3619. An early post said that Sec. 301 of the Coast Guard Authorization bill (H.R. 3619) may be completed by mid-June. It is likely the bill will spill over to the lame duck session and there is still time to let your thoughts be known. Please see the update below provided by America Outdoors Association.
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06 July 2010
Posted in
News
Tackle Review
Florida east coast waters are included in Navionics new Fish N’ Chip - even shallow waters and marshes are displayed. The entire east coast and all of Florida are included on Navionics new Fish N’ Chip East. The new chip adds a whole new meaning to the use of electronic equipment in finding fish.
