Contrary to some reports, there are no new
saltwater fish handling regulations in Florida. However, the
FWC has recently been reminding anglers about existing rules that
are meant to protect fish when they can't be taken.
Fish must be immediately released for several
reasons. For example, there is no allowable harvest of
goliath grouper and Nassau grouper in Florida.
Tarpon may only be taken if a special tag is
clipped to the fish's lower jaw. Several species, such as
snook, redfish and spotted seatrout, can be kept only at certain
times and sizes.
When a fish isn't allowed to be harvested, it must
immediately be returned to the water free, alive, and
unharmed. However, if a fish is allowed to be taken at a
certain size limit, it's okay to temporarily possess it to measure
it, as long as it is measured immediately after removing it from
the water, and the fish is then immediately returned to the water
free, alive, and unharmed if it is not a legal-size fish. The FWC
has a pamphlet that offers tips on proper handling and release
of saltwater fish 
.
Anglers should also use common sense when releasing
fish. Sometimes it's better to safely handle a fish to
carefully remove the hook so it can be released, and other times
it's best to cut the line as close to the hook as possible while
the fish is in the water - especially if it's large or
agitated.
It is okay to take a picture of a fish that is not
allowed to be harvested while it's in the process of being
released, but it still must be let go immediately and should not be
held in lengthy poses just for the purpose of taking the
picture. And it is never legal to hold on to or tow a fish
that is not allowed to be harvested to a place to weigh or measure
it for a fishing tournament or record.
The plain fact is that many of our most popular
recreational fisheries are strictly regulated, and because of this,
many fish caught must be returned to the water. Most anglers
would agree that anything we can do to minimum the harm to those
fish being released will benefit the resource in the long haul.
However, we also don't want to discourage the fun
and excitement of catching fish and documenting the catch, whether
for records or the personal satisfaction that comes with sharing
this experience with friends and family. That's why we are
attempting to inform the public about safe catch and release
techniques, and the harm that can be caused to fish that are
handled roughly or held out of the water too long. That is
the approach our law enforcement officers are taking, and only
egregious cases of mishandling or unequivocal "possession" of an
illegal fish would be pursued.
Florida's anglers should be proud of their
conservation efforts. They have helped to restore or sustain
valuable fisheries, including snook, red drum and spotted
seatrout. As the number of anglers continues to grow and our
coastal habitats come under increasing stress, it becomes more
important than ever to release those fish that cannot be harvested
in as good a condition as possible. The next angler will
thank you for it.
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