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Fisheries Management in Federal Waters | ||||
Many of Florida's important fisheries occur in both state and federal waters and are managed by both the FWC and federal agencies. The South Atlantic Fishery Management Council manages fisheries in federal waters (beyond three miles) off the Florida Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council manages fisheries in federal waters (beyond nine miles) off the Gulf coast. These Councils develop fishery management plans and recommend regulations to the U.S. Department of Commerce based on stock assessments conducted by the SouthEast Data, Assessment, and Review (SEDAR) program, scientific data, and public comment as required by the Magnuson Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act. NOAA Fisheries Service reviews Council recommendations and decides whether or not to approve the regulations as an agency of the Department of Commerce. The FWC manages fisheries in state waters, but has a strong interest in how fish are managed in federal waters and how that management affects Floridians. FWC staff serves on both the South Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Councils and coordinates with the Councils to improve fisheries management. The Councils and the FWC often enact consistent regulations in state and federal waters, but sometimes use different approaches to meet management goals. The FWC also partners with the Councils and NOAA Fisheries to collect fishery data, conduct research, assess fish stocks, and enforce regulations. To learn more about federal fisheries management, visit the following links. | ||||
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Our mission: Managing fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.
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