State issues urgent ban on harvest of highest-caught fish — here's why
Florida has made moves to protect the Suwannee bass.
The species' population has taken a sharp downturn. According to a press release published by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, "Suwannee bass are no longer present in the Wakulla River," which once had the highest catch rates.
As a preventative measure, the commission issued an executive order temporarily blocking the harvesting of fish from that area. It went into effect on December 18, 2024, and will expire on that same date in 2026.
During this time, the FWC will be dedicated to researching Suwannee bass populations, with the goal of developing comprehensive conservation strategies.
"Suwannee bass are classified as a species of greatest conservation need by both the FWC and the Georgia Department of Natural Resources," the press release explained.
They are only found in Florida and Georgia and have a much more limited range than other black bass species. Protecting their habitat is vital for their continued survival.
Measures like these are important first steps in conservation efforts. Thankfully, Florida isn't the only place dedicated to conserving native species.
Take California, for instance. After the native waters of the Sacramento perch were made uninhabitable, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife stepped in with revival efforts.
To the south, the thick-billed parrot is making a comeback. Once native to New Mexico and Arizona, the population of the once-disappeared bird species has grown about 10% thanks to forest sustainability efforts in Mexico.
Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty?
Definitely
Only in some areas
No way
I'm not sure
Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.
Conserving endangered animal species improves the planet's biodiversity, which is valuable to humans, too. According to the American Museum of Natural History, "Ecosystems provide crucial services such as pollination, seed dispersal, climate regulation, water purification, nutrient cycling, and control of agricultural pests."
While this is only one fish species, every action taken to preserve endangered animals is vital for these creatures' survival, as well as for humans and the planet. To do your part in preserving biodiversity, you could switch to a native lawn, which has proven benefits for pollinators.
With regulations like these, fish like the Suwannee bass can become plentiful again.
Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
20 hours ago
- Yahoo
Giant lizard seen wandering Santa Clara County park
(KRON) — Santa Clara County Parks is asking for the public's help finding an Argentine black and white tegu — a lizard that can grow to the size on an ironing board — recently seen wandering Joseph D. Grant County Park. The species of lizard can grow to 4 feet long and weigh more than 10 pounds, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Black and white tegus are native to South America and are considered an invasive species in some U.S. states. 'They're a popular pet and don't belong in parks,' Santa Clara County Parks shared on social media Friday. Hit-and-run driver who ran over, seriously injured 5-year-old charged: SF DA A group of hikers photographed the lizard after finding it in the park serval days ago. Anyone with information about the lizard's location is asked to contact the Santa Clara County Parks department at (408) 274-6121. 'These lizards are not native to the area and tend to eat bird eggs, small birds, small lizards and various small mammals and invertebrates,' Santa Clara County Parks said. 'They are docile so they won't harm people.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Miami Herald
a day ago
- Miami Herald
Boats are bursting into flames in South Florida. How common is this?
Last week, two boats in Fort Lauderdale went up in flames. Friday, six boats were charred at a Sunny Isles Beach dock. READ MORE: Boat engulfed in flames ignites several vessels at Sunny Isles dock: fire rescue So, you've got to be wondering: Do Florida boaters have no clue how to operate a vessel or is this just a random twist of fate? As it turns out, boats going up in flames is not uncommon in a state that is saturated with boats, statistics show. While the number of boat fires are trending higher in Fort Lauderdale — the site of another explosion in December, killing a boater who was fueling up at Lauderdale Marina — statewide, they've actually decreased over the past five years, according to vessel accidents' data compiled by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. READ MORE: Boat explodes off the beach in Fort Lauderdale, fire-rescue says So far, in Fort Lauderdale this year, there have been six boat fires, the city's Fire Rescue department said. The department's spokesman, Frank Guzman, noted that 'not all these vessel fires had significant damage.' Last year, there were 15 boat fires in Fort Lauderdale, up from four in 2021, with 11 each in 2022 and 2023, Guzman said. Florida has more registered boats than any other state Florida averages about 35 boat fires a year, according to the FWC, which notes in its latest annual report that the state also has more than 1 million registered vessels for recreation, making it 'the undisputed 'Boating Capital of the World.'' (Michigan has the second-most boat owners.) Over the past five years, boat fire numbers have fluctuated in the state, with 41 in 2020, 37 in 2021, 33 in 2022, and 30 in 2023, the latest data available, the FWC said. Out of the 685 reportable boat accidents in Florida in 2024, 33 stemmed from fires, 17 involving fuel and 16 caused by other factors. The majority of boat accidents in Florida — 209 — involved vessels hitting fixed objects, according to the FWC. Gas vapors likely cause of Sea Ray explosion Fuel was likely the cause of the explosion of a 39-foot Sea Ray cabin cruiser in the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale on Memorial Day. Out of the 15 people on board when a fireball shot out from inside the boat, 11 were hospitalized. The operator of the boat, 29-year-old Joshua Fifi, died days later at the hospital. READ MORE: Father of four dies after Memorial Day boat explosion off Fort Lauderdale Fire officials said the blast was likely caused by fuel vapors that ignited a flash fire when the boat was started. The source of the vapors and ignition is under investigation. It was like 'a fireball,' Guzman said. Boat safety tips Boating experts stress that boaters must open their engine compartment and turn on the blower fan before starting a boat. The fan, which removes gas fumes or any accumulated gasoline, should be run for three to five minutes. Boats have ventilation switches on the dash panel that should be switched on every time a boat is used. And, they add, boaters should take a sniff test and smell for any signs of gas vapors before starting a boat. READ MORE: Two boats exploded off Fort Lauderdale within 5 months. Tips to avoid a similar fate The FWC is still investigating the cause of a 30-foot boat that went up in flames just off the beach in Fort Lauderdale two days later. There was one person on board, who jumped off the vessel and swam to shore before paramedics took him to the hospital to be treated for injuries. There have also been damaging boat fires in other parts of South Florida, the most recent a blaze that ended up burning up six boats, including a 90-foot vessel, at a Sunny Isles Beach condominium dock early Friday morning. No one was injured in the fire, which was triggered by one boat going up in flames and the blaze spreading to five other boats. Authorities are investigating. Boat fire off Jupiter The same day the Sea Ray exploded in Fort Lauderdale, a 48-foot fishing yacht caught fire off Jupiter Inlet. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. Three people were on board the vessel when it caught fire, the Coast Guard said in a statement on X. They were rescued by other boaters in the area who responded to the scene. No one was hurt, according to the Coast Guard. And, a May 14 fire at a Tavernier boat yard in the Florida Keys badly damaged several vessels that were dry docked, according to the Monroe County Sheriff's Office.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
2 motorcyclists injured when they hit a 6-foot alligator on I-4 in Orange City
This story has been updated with new information and to add a video. Two Volusia County motorcyclists and a 6-foot alligator were injured Saturday when the motorcycles struck the gator on Interstate 4 in Orange City, according to the Florida Highway Patrol. The crash occurred at approximately 6:08 p.m. in the westbound lanes of I-4 in the area of mile marker 110 in Orange City, according to FHP. FHP Lt. Tara Crescenzi wrote in an email that while she imagined there have been other accidents involving gators statewide, she was unaware of any others recently in Central Florida. A 67-year-old DeLeon Springs man and a 25-year-old Orange City woman were traveling westbound in the inside lane, which is the closest lane to the median, when they struck the alligator, FHP stated. The impact caused both motorcycles to veer to the left off the highway. The man's motorcycle entered the wood line and struck a tree. The woman's motorcycle left the roadway but did not go as far as the wood line. The man was riding a 2022 Suzuki GSX-R1000R and the woman was riding a 2021 Kawasaki Ninja 650. Both riders were transported to HCA Lake Monroe Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission was called to help with the injured gator. FWC spokesman Chad Weber said the gator was about 6 feet long. He said the FWC called a trapper to remove the gator and the trapper would decide what to do with the gator, including whether to euthanize it. Weber said it's not unusual for an alligator to seek the warmth of a road since the pavement retains heat from the day's sunlight. He said he lives in Lake County and he occasionally sees gators on roads. He said for more information about alligators, people could check the commission's website at The crash remains under investigation. This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: 2 bikers hit gator on I-4 in Orange City, all 3 injured
