At its July meeting in Stuart, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) approved changes to how shortfin mako are managed in state waters.
Effective Jan. 1, 2020, the minimum size limit for recreational harvest will increase from 54 to 83 inches fork length.
This size increase is required by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission to provide consistency with recent federal changes. Shortfin mako is overfished and undergoing overfishing, and these measures are a part of ongoing international efforts to help rebuild the resource for a sustainable fishery in the future. Commercial harvest is prohibited in state waters due to recent changes to federal rules.
Learn more about shark regulations at MyFWC.com/Marine by clicking on “Recreational Regulations” and “Sharks.”
