Responsible Fishing

Responsible Fishing. . , How do I know if I can keep a fish? , Florida has more anglers than any other state. To protect our fisheries the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) manage game fish using closed seasons, size limits and bag limits. Check all FWC regulations before you keep the fish you catch. You can find the regulations at tackle shops and online at www.myfwc.com , A fish is too valuable to catch only once , Many tools and techniques are available to ensure a fish survives after you release it. , . Handle the fish as little as possible and only with wet hands. , . Support the weight of the fish horizontally. , . Use non-stainless steel circle hooks, which tend to hook in the jaw. , . Use a de-hooking tool to safely and quickly remove the hook. , . Return the fish to the water as quickly as possible., What if I hook a bird? , Reel the bird in slowly and carefully hold it under your arm. , Cover with a towel to reduce stress to the bird. Holding its beak, cut the line, leaving about 1.5 inches. Do NOT release the bird or remove the hook yourself. , The bird may need a radiograph to find additional hooks. Call 239-472-3644 and keep the bird until it can be transported to the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife (CROW)., Take care of your line , Don’t leave your line behind. Discarded fishing line poses a threat to birds, sea turtles and manatees. , . Secure your line until you can place it in a recycling bin. , . Cast with care, avoid snagging your line on objects such as mangroves or utilities lines. , . If your line does snag, cut it at the closest point where the line is caught. , . Lines left behind can be dangerous to wildlife which can ingest or become entangled in it.