FWC seeks public input on potential changes to African Pompano harvest regulations in Florida

Florida – The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is asking anglers and other interested members of the public to weigh in on possible changes to the way African Pompano harvest is managed across the state.

The FWC will hold two virtual workshops in October to gather comments on potential modifications to regulations covering both commercial and recreational harvest of the species.

The feedback will become part of the process as the agency considers possible changes to current management rules.

FWC staff plan to bring proposed final rules before the Commission at its March 2027 meeting. Before that happens, comments received during the upcoming workshops will be reviewed and provided to Commissioners as they consider the proposals.

The first virtual workshop is scheduled for Wednesday, Oct. 7, while a second session will take place Monday, Oct. 12.

Both workshops will begin at 6 p.m. and are expected to conclude by 8 p.m. Eastern Time. Participants can join online through the FWC’s Saltwater Workshops webpage on the day of each meeting.

By offering the meetings virtually, the agency is providing an opportunity for people from different parts of Florida to participate without traveling to an in-person location.

The workshops will focus specifically on possible modifications involving African Pompano and the regulations governing commercial and recreational harvest.

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Public participation is being encouraged before FWC staff make their final recommendations to the Commission. Input collected through the workshops will be considered ahead of the March meeting, giving participants a chance to share their views before Commissioners take up the proposed final rules.

People who are interested in the issue but cannot attend either of the live sessions will still have an opportunity to review the discussions.

Recordings of the workshops will be made available after the sessions have concluded. They can be accessed through the FWC Saltwater Workshops webpage or directly through the agency’s Saltwater YouTube channel.

The FWC is also accepting written comments from members of the public.

Comments can be submitted through the agency’s saltwater public comment system. Visitors to the FWC Marine webpage can find the option by selecting “Rulemaking: Submit a Comment/Attend a Workshop” under the “Get Involved” section.

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The combination of virtual meetings, recordings and online comments gives the public several ways to follow the rulemaking process and provide feedback.

Information gathered through that process will help inform FWC staff as they prepare their recommendations concerning African Pompano management.

The next major step is expected in March 2027, when staff plan to present the proposed final rules to the Commission for consideration.