FWC

Venice Police and Sarasota County Sheriff's units on Sunday were assisting Mote Marine Laboratory staff with a beached sperm whale off the coast of Venice. The 70-feet-long whale was beached on a sandbar about 50 yards out from Service Club Park.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) TrophyCatch program has deployed bright pink research tags in bass across five waters throughout the state: the Northwest Winter Haven Chain of Lakes, Lake Lochloosa, Lake Beauclair, Lake Okeechobee and Porter Lake.

A limited number of alligator hunters could get special permits that would expand where they can hunt, under a proposal that state wildlife officials are considering.The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at a Dec. 5 meeting in Orlando will take up a proposal that would lead to a random draw for five special-use permits that would give alligator hunters “greater flexibility” next season.

Lee County again leads the state in manatee fatalities with 104 reported deaths, more than double any other county in the state, according to a News Service of Florida report.

Fifty percent discounts on Florida State Park passes and FWC hunting and fishing licenses will be available for the next three months, through Jan. 13, 2024.

The body of 19-year-old Graham McGrath, an FGCU student, who fell off a boat in Lake Como Wednesday night was found shortly before 11:30 a.m. Thursday. An investigation into his death continues.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission invites the public to three upcoming webinars, where staff will present draft revisions to the Species Conservation Measures and Permitting Guidelines for Florida Burrowing Owls.FWC staff will present draft revisions to the guidelines during the scheduled webinars, with each of the three online workshops providing the public with the opportunity to give feedback and offer suggestions.

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officials confirmed Thursday that the state won’t hold a bear hunt this year.

Environmentalists and animal-rights advocates want state wildlife officials to put more restrictions on deer farming and hunting as Florida responds to the long-expected arrival of a contagious disease fatal to deer.