Opinions required: Fishing Goliath Grouper in Florida
The Florida Wildlife Commission (FWC) is holding public consultations to discuss the possibility of allowing a “limited open season” for fishing goliath grouper (Epinephelus itajara). These include public meetings in a wide variety of venues throughout the state, along with an online workshop and an online survey. If implemented, the proposed kill will exterminate most of Florida’s breeding population of the groupers, destroying 27 years of conservation management effort.
The public workshops will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. local time (except the Tallahassee meeting, which will be from 6 to 9 p.m.) Below is the full list of remaining meetings
- Oct. 9: Jacksonville, Pablo Creek Regional Library, 13295 Beach Blvd.
- Oct. 10: Titusville, American Police Hall of Fame & Museum, 6350 Horizon Drive.
- Oct. 11: Stuart, Flagler Place, 201 SW Flagler Ave.
- Oct. 12: Davie, Old Davie School Historical Museum, 6650 Griffin Road.
- Oct. 16: Pinellas Park, Bill Jackson’s Shop for Adventure, 9501 U.S. Highway 19 N.
- Oct. 17: Port Charlotte, The Cultural Center of Charlotte County, 2280 Aaron St.
- Oct. 18: Naples, Collier County Public Library - South Regional, 8065 Lely Cultural Parkway
- Oct. 25: Tallahassee, FWC Bryant Building, Room 272, 620 S. Meridian St. (6-9 p.m. ET)