Did you know in Monroe County, 64% of residents ages 16 to 65 have a recreational saltwater fishing license?
Florida residents under the age of 16 and 65 and over are exempt from buying a saltwater fishing license, so the actual number of recreational anglers in our county is extremely high. In fact, Monroe County has the highest number of recreational saltwater fishing licenses in Florida. Coupled with the fact a high percentage of visitors come here to go fishing in the Fishing Capital of the World, this equates to a lot of time spent out on the water enjoying the beauty of the Keys and catching something to cook up for dinner.
Have you ever thought about what happens to the fish you catch that do not end up on the dinner table? NOAA Fisheries estimates that more than 60% of the fish that are caught by recreational anglers are released. There are many reasons a fish may be caught and released — the species could be too small or too large for regulations, out of season, a prohibited species, not the targeted species or perhaps a fish that is fun to catch but not good to eat. Since we have so many recreational fishing anglers and because so many fish are released after being caught, it becomes very important the fish you catch survive after being released. Do you know how to properly release the fish you catch and let go?
The Florida Friendly Angler is a free, narrated, online, short do-at-your-own-pace educational program that informs users about best practices for catch-and-release fishing, Florida’s aquatic environments, and the inner workings of fisheries management.
By teaching the how and why behind topics anglers encounter while interacting with Florida’s fisheries, the program hopes to reinforce practices that can ensure quality fishing experiences are here to stay, providing great memories and the economic impacts that follow. You will learn how to stay in compliance with regulatory issues like using non-stainless steel circle hooks when fishing for reef fish, how and when to use descending devices and venting tools for fish suffering from barotrauma. Another section has useful tips like using wet hands when handling fish to protect their slime layer and how to cradle a fish while photographing since fish you are releasing should not be held by the jaw or the lip. This program was created in partnership with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Florida Sea Grant and the University of Florida IFAS Extension. There are three short modules on environmental ethics, best fishing practices and fisheries management. Even if you do not fish in Florida, you will find these modules very useful and most modules apply to freshwater fishing, too.
Florida Friendly Angler is free, takes less than 2 hours and can be completed at your own pace. Google “Florida Friendly Angler,” enroll for free and register with your email address. Finish the course all at once or a little at a time. The information taught is not only applicable to fishermen and women, but anyone who is interacting with the marine environment. There is boating information to prevent destroying coral when anchoring, stop sea grass scarring and making sure the fish you just caught and released gets back into the water and swims away.
For more information and registration, scan the QR code or contact your local Florida Sea Grant agent, Shelly Krueger, at shellykrueger@ufl.edu, 305-292-4502.
