Page 12 - Palm City Spotlight - November '20

Page 12, Palm City Spotlight
Treasure Coast Outdoors

Regulations, Regulations, intend to reef fish. It is free, but you must have it and swordfish, or shark. Unfortunately, you can’t get one.
carry it with you when reef fishing.
Only a vessel can.
Regulations Everywhere Why? Because you might be randomly selected to This can create quite a dilemma if you belong to a
receive a survey in the mail about your fishing activity. boat club, rent a boat, or are fishing with a buddy on their
By Jim Weix You might also be approached by a FWC biologist at boat. Imagine getting lucky and catching a bluefin tuna,
Is it just me, or do other the dock after returning from fishing and be asked to or even a swordfish, while fishing for dolphin or deep
anglers feel like they need participate in an in-person interview. However, apparently dropping for tilefish. So if you happen to catch one of
to hire an attorney to fish? there is no requirement to actually have participated in an the species covered, you better hope the vessel you are
Starting July 15, 2020 in-person interview. The FWC site asks you to participate on has a permit.
anglers are required to “If you have a few minutes.” So, if I’m hot, sweaty, have Why can’t you just get a permit as an individual? I have
have a working descending a bunch of fish to filet, and a boat to wash, I can just no idea. Another question might be would you release a
device on-board and readily decline to participate? once in a lifetime fish?
available when fishing for Since most saltwater anglers will reef fish sometime Editor’s note: Jim Weix is an avid hunter, angler,
any of the snapper-grouper during the year, wouldn’t it make more sense to simply conservationist, as well as an outdoor writer. Jim is
species in federal waters of email or mail a survey to randomly chosen anglers? That included in the Wisconsin Waterfowl Association’s Hall
the Atlantic Ocean. would seem better than making everyone carry around of Fame, for his work in helping restore thousands of
OK, I get that. When fish caught from depth are rapidly another goofy piece of paper in their wallet. acres of wetlands. Jim is a broker associate with The
brought to the surface, they can suffer from barotrauma. Then we have the Atlantic Highly Migratory Species Keyes Company. He can be reached at (772) 341-2941
Barotrauma causes a gas buildup in their bodies which (HMS) Permit. It is required if you catch a tuna, billfish, or by email: jimweix@jimweix.com.
can make it impossible for deep-water fish to swim back
to where they came from. The descending devices, in the
form of a weighted hook, lip clamp, or box that holds the
fish as it is lowered to a sufficient depth where pressure of
the surrounding water returns internal gas to equilibrium,
allow the fish to be released with a much higher likelihood
of survival.
Not only do you need a descending device, you also
need a dedicated pole or line with a minimum 16-ounce
weight. There will be no simply having the device in a
tackle box or drawer.
Interestingly enough, there doesn’t seem to be a rule
that you actually have to use it.
Then we have a thing called the State Reef Angler
Permit. As of July 1, it is required for all anglers that
Fall in love with HarborChase

Nov. 27

Nov. 30

Dec. 1

Palm City Auto

Lube & Services

The DiTerlizzi Family of Companies

Celebrating Our 30th Year

Celebrate life in a resort-style community with
.00
$10 off multiple restaurants, salon & spa, and premium
our “full Service oil Change” amenities all without leaving home!
Enjoy by 11/30/20.
Schedule your personalized tour today and become
Complete Auto Repair a Charter Club member to receive unparalleled benefits

including first selection of residence and one month free!*
• Brakes • Diagnostics
• Tune-ups • Oil/Lube
• Air • Tires HARBORCHASE OF
Conditioning • Tire Repairs STUART

DiTerlizzi family ASSISTED LIVING AND
owned since 1990
MEMORY CARE RESIDENCES
772-223-LUBE (5823)

650 NW Fork Road | Stuart, FL 34994 | (772) 763-5746
3584 SW Armellini Ave., Palm City *For a limited time. ALF# pending
Located in the “Pure” gas station www.HarborChase.com