02-16-2007, 04:01 PM
Commercial sponge harvest may be legal soon in Northwest Florida marine waters. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) proposed a draft rule Thursday to allow commercial sponge harvest west of 84 degrees west longitude, near Cabell Point on the eastern border of Jefferson County.
Commercial harvest of sponges in Florida is a historical fishery, principally concentrated along the central Gulf of Mexico near the traditional sponge docks in Tarpon Springs and in the Florida Keys. This fishery is the source of natural sponges for a variety of household cleaning purposes and also supports a curio trade.
Of the many species of sponges that occur in Florida, only a few are sought-after by the fishery and regulated. These species – commercial sponges – include sheepswool, grass, yellow, glove, finger, wire, reef and velvet sponges.
Commercial sponges may be harvested legally now, by diving, in all state waters north of the southernmost point of Egmont Key, northward and westward to the 84 degrees west longitude line. They also may be harvested, by diving, in all state waters beyond 3 nautical miles from the shoreline south of Egmont Key to the Monroe and Collier county line. Commercial sponges also are legally harvested in the Keys by hooking.
Commercial fishers have requested the Florida Panhandle area also be open to sponge harvest by diving, and the FWC believes this fishery will be limited and have negligible impacts to sponge abundance. The FWC also proposes that all sponges harvested by diving must be cut rather than pulled from their base.
Current regulations specify that persons wishing to land sponges in commercial quantities must possess a valid saltwater products license and a valid sponge endorsement.
Legally harvestable commercial sponges also must be at least 5 inches in diameter, and there are specific areas where sponges may be taken by diving. A daily recreational bag limit of 10 commercial sponges also applies, and sponging in Biscayne National Park is prohibited.
A final public hearing on the proposed sponge rule will take place during the FWC’s April 11-12 meeting in Tallahassee. [left] [/left][/url]
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Commercial harvest of sponges in Florida is a historical fishery, principally concentrated along the central Gulf of Mexico near the traditional sponge docks in Tarpon Springs and in the Florida Keys. This fishery is the source of natural sponges for a variety of household cleaning purposes and also supports a curio trade.
Of the many species of sponges that occur in Florida, only a few are sought-after by the fishery and regulated. These species – commercial sponges – include sheepswool, grass, yellow, glove, finger, wire, reef and velvet sponges.
Commercial sponges may be harvested legally now, by diving, in all state waters north of the southernmost point of Egmont Key, northward and westward to the 84 degrees west longitude line. They also may be harvested, by diving, in all state waters beyond 3 nautical miles from the shoreline south of Egmont Key to the Monroe and Collier county line. Commercial sponges also are legally harvested in the Keys by hooking.
Commercial fishers have requested the Florida Panhandle area also be open to sponge harvest by diving, and the FWC believes this fishery will be limited and have negligible impacts to sponge abundance. The FWC also proposes that all sponges harvested by diving must be cut rather than pulled from their base.
Current regulations specify that persons wishing to land sponges in commercial quantities must possess a valid saltwater products license and a valid sponge endorsement.
Legally harvestable commercial sponges also must be at least 5 inches in diameter, and there are specific areas where sponges may be taken by diving. A daily recreational bag limit of 10 commercial sponges also applies, and sponging in Biscayne National Park is prohibited.
A final public hearing on the proposed sponge rule will take place during the FWC’s April 11-12 meeting in Tallahassee. [left] [/left][/url]
[signature]