Lakeland Summit Results, 14 January 2006

FRESHWATER FISHERIES SUMMIT RESULTS
LAKELAND, FLORIDA
January 14, 2006

• Lake Pierce are all the home owners around the lake notified? Stakeholder request signs notifying of the Drawdown also homeowner associations and local fishing clubs. Stakeholders may be willing to help.

• How to notify about the drawdown

• Need new regulation on bass tournaments, tournaments need to be regulated. Stakeholder recommended that we charge fee and schedule events. Stakeholder is concerned that tournaments are species specific (LMB).

• Stakeholder is concerned with mortality of LMB (largemouth bass) as a result of tournament catches.

• Stakeholder feels that tournament is not necessarily impacting the fishery but more recreational fisherman taking undersized fish.

• Need more law enforcement on Walk-in-Water during January to April. To many crappie being harvested.

• Is habitat loss a major issue on FW lakes and if so what are we doing about it?

• How much habitat loss is associated with development and is it making a major impact on our FW resources?

• How do we rectify the loss of habitat around fresh water resources? Does FWC require property owners to mitigate property that is developed around the Lake

• Stakeholder feels we should be proactive so that if someone buys property and/or develops along a fresh water resource there should be some sort of mitigation required to compensate for habitat loss.

• Are there standards in place for the amount of development that occurs around a fresh water resource?

• Has FWC developed a relationship with developers and homeowners associations to educate homeowners about best management practices for homeowners around the lake?

• Stakeholder commented on DEP standards. Example given that a lake which is 80% undeveloped will be 80% developed with in a year. Based on current regulations 40% of aquatic habitat has the potential of being removed.

• Is the configuration of the unclaimed lands required by DEP of the mining industry?

• Stakeholder raised concerns with the stagnation of FWC license sales. What are fishing clubs doing to develop kids fishing programs and how much of the FWF budget is spent on kids fishing programs?

• Stakeholder raised the concern that students don’t recognize that fishing is science. Teachers should be educated by FWC in fisheries so information can be passed on to students. More needs to be done in aquatic education.

• Stakeholders were interested in if we are involved as a liaison with schools and attend annual Florida Science teacher meeting?

• Question ,Lake Pierce, is the bulk of the work being conducted on the west shoreline?

• FWC needs to maintain the Urban Fishing program and to give additional funds. Also need more programs where there is more bank fishing for kids.

• Does FWC have a summer camp or program that allow kids the opportunity to learn about aquatic resources and aquatic sciences?

• To what extent does FWC participate in Natures Classroom (Hillsborough County School Program)? And does any other county offer similar programs?

• Why was the volunteer coordinator position cut?

• Is the new Bass Conservation Center going to allow volunteers in assist with tagging similar to Mote and is the facility open to tours yet?

• How are slot limits and Minimum size limits being received by the public, are they working, and will we be implementing them on other systems?

PHOTOS OF THE SUMMITS ARE AVAILABLE ON-LINE

Take Me Fishing.org is a great general information site for recreational anglers and boaters.

Florida Fishing Capital of the World--Great Resources, Responsible Management