Fish

Share the shore with sea turtles and shorebirds

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is sharing the reminder that as we enjoy our beaches this Memorial Day weekend and beyond, nesting season is underway for our state’s imperiled sea turtles and shorebirds along our coasts.

Beachgoers can help ensure nesting success for both sea turtles and beach-nesting birds by giving them space, removing beach furniture and trash before leaving for the day, keeping beaches clean and dark, and never disturbing their nests.

Mark your calendars: 10th Annual Lionfish Festival May 17–18 in Destin

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Destin–Fort Walton Beach invite everyone to celebrate the 10th annual Lionfish Festival May 1718 from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. CT at AJ’s Seafood and Oyster Bar and HarborWalk Village in Destin. 

This two-day outdoor festival is free, open to the public and will include conservation and art booths, live music, an interactive kid’s zone and the world’s largest lionfish tournament, the Emerald Coast Open. 

FWC, FDACS to conduct public meeting about chronic wasting disease

FWCFollowing confirmation of Florida’s first known case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in June 2023, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) are hosting the following public meeting in Bonifay: 

Family, friends, community, agency leaders attend unveiling of marker designating Kyle Lee Patterson Memorial Way on State Road 70

St. Lucie, FL – In honor of the late FWC Senior Investigator Kyle Lee Patterson's profound contributions to his community and his enduring legacy, a special dedication ceremony took place on March 29, unveiling the marker designating a portion of State Route 70 as Kyle Lee Patterson Memorial Way. 

Permit spawning season closure inside the Special Permit Zone starts April 1

The spawning season closure for permit inside the Special Permit Zone in south Florida starts April 1. This closure includes all state and federal waters south of Cape Sable on the Gulf coast, and south of Cape Florida on the Atlantic coast including all of the Florida Keys and Biscayne Bay south of Rickenbacker Causeway. 

Permit will reopen inside the Special Permit Zone on Aug. 1.