Welcome to the Division of Freshwater Fisheries
Management’s Summit site. This site has been established to provide
you, the public, with a way to actively help us manage Florida’s
freshwater aquatic resources.
On March 1 of 2005 we began asking
everyone who has an interest or concern about Florida’s freshwater
aquatic resources to complete the “Freshwater Fisheries Input
Survey” to provide us with your thoughts. The survey was
available online through May 15, 2005, and over 1,500 of you
responded. Thank you for taking an active roll in
protecting and overseeing Florida’s freshwater resources by
participating in this process.
Summit Schedules (and Results)
A major effort to reorganize the process by
which Florida manages its freshwater fisheries is the topic of a
unique series of statewide summits being hosted by the Florida Fish
and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). Through these summits,
the FWC is inviting stakeholders to organize and team with the
agency to help design and implement management plans that will have
a major effect on Florida’s freshwater fisheries.
“An online survey recently conducted by the
Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management was the first step in
establishing communications with anglers and other resource users,
enabling us to document concerns and determine attitudes about our
future direction,” said Dennis Renfro, FWC Summit Coordinator.
The response to the survey was overwhelming
with over 1,500 constituents participating. Results from this
survey were used to shape the format and content of six summits soon
to be held in various locations around the state where survey
responses were greatest.
“In the past, stakeholders gave input and FWC
staff implemented a plan. In the new process stakeholders will
partner with the agency to develop and implement plans jointly,”
said Dave McElveen, FWC Planning Coordinator.
Six zone meetings were held statewide starting
in Sept. 2005 and continuing through Jan. 2006. The results of
these meetings are published below. Clicking the button images
will load a very large file that imitates the entire PowerPoint
presentation. The Text links will just provide a quick-loading
summary of the public input received at the meetings..
Photos of some of the meetings are
available. Handouts from the meetings provide local contact
information.
- Sebring - Sept 24, Sebring Civic Center, 355 W. Center
Ave., (863) 471-5100
Text Only.
Handout
- Palatka - Oct. 15, River Front Inn, ( formerly the Holiday
Inn) Route 100, Palatka, (386)328-4686
Text Only.
Handout
- Orlando - Nov 5, Rosen Centre, 9840
International Drive, (407) 996-2309
Text Only.
Handout
- Tallahassee - Jan. 7, Ramada Inn, 2900 N. Monroe St.,
(850) 386-1027
Text Only.
Handout
- Lakeland - Jan. 14, 2006, Royal Palm Inn, 4645 N.
Socrum Loop. (863) 858-1411
Text Only.
Handout
- Dania Beach - Jan. 21, IGFA, 3000 Gulf Stream Way,
(954)-927-2628
Text Only.
Handout
Note: Due to the interest in the critical condition of Lake
Okeechobee, Mr. Don Fox provided a presentation on the fishery at
the meeting. This is a link to the
Okeechobee Fisheries Report.
Freshwater Fisheries Roundtable
In November 2007 a
roundtable met to further
explore public opinion and guidance on freshwater fisheries
policies. The results lead to a Freshwater Fisheries vision
document that presented to the FWC Commission in April 2008 (Presentation
PDF, 536KB).
Why an
online survey?
The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was recently reorganized and a new Division of Freshwater Fisheries
Management was formed to manage, enhance and preserve Florida’s
freshwater aquatic life for our public’s benefit. This survey is an
attempt to assess the performance of previous freshwater fisheries
management activities over the last five years, and set new goals
accordingly. In addition, we hope to strengthen our bond and
communications with the citizens we serve. Accordingly, this
cooperation will improve fishing opportunities here in the Fishing
Capital of the World.
How do we
approach management of Florida’s freshwater aquatic life?
Our approach is to emphasize conservation
programs that are based on field research and scientific methods
that have been tested and proven to be valid. We believe it is
important to manage our freshwater aquatic resources for optimum
sustained use and assure that our other constituents are satisfied
with results.
What are
we doing with the survey results?
The Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management will review and summarize survey responses provided by our
customers. A summary report will be published online at this
website identifying top issues facing our freshwater aquatic life
and our plans to address them. One of the first steps following the
survey will be to hold public meetings in locations where many of
you voiced concerns about specific freshwater aquatic issues. As
part of the survey, you will be asked if you are willing to take
part in future public planning meetings. By saying yes to this
request, you will be offered more opportunities to contribute to the
protection and enhancement of Florida’s freshwater aquatic
resources.
What were
the Summit Goals?
- Plan for long term engagement
- Identify issues
- Inform stakeholders
- Stakeholder recruitment
- Gain a core group of stakeholders
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