FWC evaluates trapping rules, seeks public input

Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission sent this bulletin at 11/17/2021 12:59 PM EST

For Immediate release: Nov. 17, 2021
Contact: Carli Segelson, 772-215-9459, Carli.Segelson@MyFWC.com
Michelle Kerr, 727-282-7642, Michelle.Kerr@MyFWC.com

Suggested Tweet: To modernize, align with @FishWildlife best management practices, @MyFWC is evaluating trapping rules. Public feedback welcome. https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/FLFFWCC/bulletins/2fca46b #Florida

FWC evaluates trapping rules, seeks public input

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is seeking public feedback as staff begin to evaluate rules addressing regulated wildlife trapping. Staff are exploring possible changes to modernize trapping rules to align with the Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies’ best management practices in support of species-specific and humane trapping methods.

Help with skunk conservation; report sightings to the FWC

Help with skunk conservation; report sightings to the FWC

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has launched a new community science project aimed at learning more about Florida’s skunk populations.

The Sunshine State is home to two species of skunks, the striped skunk and the smaller eastern spotted skunk. Both are thought to be found throughout the state and biologists are hoping to involve the public in collecting observations to learn more about the distribution of both species and the types of habitats in which they are found.

What is the future of Florida's wildlife resources over the next 20 years?

Anybody that breathes air, drinks water, swims, fishes, hunts, enjoys wildlife watching or just visiting state and national parks should be concerned about the environmental setbacks that have occurred during the last few years. Wildlife and fish populations will likely decline from increased pollution and habitat destruction resulting from reduced protection for our waterways and public lands.

Harvard Law School’s Environmental and Energy Law Program (EELP) staff succinctly describe the history of more than 80 critically important environmental rollbacks, including current status on EELP's website: https://eelp.law.harvard.edu/regulatory-rollback-tracker/.

FWC requests public input on venomous reptile rules

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) wants to know the attitude of the public regarding the possession and management of venomous reptiles by zoos, as well as individual residents in their homes. FWC Captive Wildlife staff was directed by the Commission in November 2015 to evaluate existing regulations and develop a range of regulatory options for the Commission’s consideration. In order to effectively receive information and direction from the public, the agency has developed an online survey at www.surveymonkey.com/r/VR-Rule, and will be accepting survey responses and recommendations through July 27, 2016.