Fishing

Gov. DeSantis signs order making many hunting and fishing licenses 50% off through Jan. 3.

About 67% of voters supported what appeared on the ballot as Amendment 2 and was titled “Right to Fish and Hunt.” Constitutional amendments need support from 60 percent of voters to pass.

Supporters of the measure have raised significantly more money than opponents, and political experts think the proposal likely will receive the required support of 60% of voters to pass.

The money will go toward rebuilding boat slips, fish houses, and other areas in the fishing industry.

Amendment 2 is largely backed by hunting and fishing groups and charter captains. Amendment 2 is opposed by environmental groups and some homeowners are worried about increased trespassing

Largemouth bass in Florida are now their own species, and bear a different name: The Florida bass.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) TrophyCatch program has deployed bright pink research tags in bass across five waters throughout the state: the Northwest Winter Haven Chain of Lakes, Lake Lochloosa, Lake Beauclair, Lake Okeechobee and Porter Lake.

This comes after dozens of meetings with stakeholders, including avian rescue groups, anglers, wildlife conservation groups, pier concessionaires, local and state government representatives, and others.

The new study targets redfish found in waters from St. Augustine to Pensacola and builds on a similar survey released last year that also found bonefish contaminated with pharmaceuticals in the Keys and Biscayne Bay.

State wildlife officials moved to increase protections for pelicans who become entangled in fishing lines at the Sunshine Skyway pier. But many bird advocates say it's not enough.

Redfish are big, brawny fighters and key contributors to Florida’s $13.8 billion recreational fishing industry. But redfish have a weak spot: They faithfully return to the same waters each year to spawn. This past fall, Hurricane Ian and red tide hit West Central Florida at a critical spawning time, delivering a one-two punch to a fish that is back in the conservation spotlight.

Steve Friedman said he "needed a life change.” A passion for environmental activism led him to the water.