The Franklin Chronicle


A LOCALLY OWNED NEWSPAPER


May 2, 2008 Page 9


Florida's freshwater fisheries vision


 The future looks bright for
freshwater fisheries in Florida,
according to the Florida Fish
and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC).
 Darrell Scovell, director of
FWC's Division of Freshwater
Fisheries Management, present-
ed an optimistic vision for
Florida's freshwater fisheries to
Commissioners at the FWC's
April 2008 meeting.
 "This report is the result of
an ongoing effort to reach out to
Florida's citizenry to obtain their
input on problems and solutions
and to give them a voice in man-
aging their fishery resources,"
Scovell said.
 The effort began with an
online survey completed in
March 2005, to which 1,500 peo-
ple, mostly anglers, responded.
It was followed by a series of six
zone summits scattered around
the state where fisheries biolo-
gists spoke directly with con-
cerned residents about local and
statewide issues. The effort then
culminated in a roundtable meet-
ing with proactive individuals
representing various groups,
such as outdoor writers, universi-
ty professors, fishing tackle man-
ufacturers and retailers, fishing
tournament sponsors, profes-
sional fishing guides and others
who hold a stake in the future of
Florida's freshwater fisheries.
 Scovell pointed out the


 B Bob Wattendorf

remarkable consistency between
the biologists' findings, the sur-
veys, zone summits and round-
table group on the major prob.
lems confronting freshwater fish.
cries.
 Five top issues emerged, and
strategies were developed to
address them.
 1. Habitat issues-aquatic
plants, water quality and water
quantity.
 Enhance interagency coordi-
nation, especially with the
Department of Environmental
Protection (the lead agency on
most of these issues) and the
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
 Mobilize local stakeholders
and anglers to identify issues and
participate in proactive activities.
 Continue to work with
FWC's Aquatic Resource
Enhancement Section.
 2. Human dimensions-
conservation stewardship, educa-


tion, outreach, recruit/retain
anglers and volunteers.
 Educate youth and adults,
using best management practices
to emphasize their stewardship
role.
 Reach out to the public with
c-mails, popular articles and at
major events,
 Seek grants and partner
opportunities and engage the
roundtable group in these efforts.
 Proactively seek and coordi-
nate volunteers.
 3. Fishing accea--develop-
ing ramps and shoreline access
for powerboats, paddlers, waders
and shore or pier fishing.
 Identify priority areas.
 Coordinate with FWC's
Law Enforcement Boating
Access Section.
 Develop and implement a
long-term maintenance pian.
 4. Regulation management
-developing scientifically-sup-
ported regulations, evaluating
them, enforcing them and ensur-
ing appropriate penalties.
 Work through the public-
input process.
 Community focus with up-
to-date data.
 5. Nonnative species-fish,
aquatic plants and wildlife intro-
duced from other parts of the
world that represent biological
pollutants.
 Assist the Aquatic Species
Coordination group with screen-


ing for nonnative fishes found in
the wild or those used for aqua-
culture or sportfishing.
 Participate in research and
management discussions to
focus prevention and control
efforts via risk analyses.
 Assist with rapid response to
new discoveries.
 Increase public awareness.
 Florida remains the
"Fishing Capital of the World."
The FWC's vision is to keep it
that way by steadily working
with its constituents and other
management agencies to ensure
quality, safe and sustainable fish-
ing opportunities. Florida's
recreational fisheries provided
more days of fishing enjoyment
in 2006 than any other state in
the country (46.3 million versus
No. 2 Texas with 41.1 million
days).
 So if you are ready to con-
tribute, feel free to contact the
FWC and give some input. One
way is to complete a survey (see
MyFWC.com/Fishing and
scroll down in the right column
to "Take the Survey"). Another
way to help conservation efforts
and save you money is to pur-
chase a five-year freshwater fish-
ing license. There is a special
offer going on right now where
you get free stuff in the mail
when you buy one (see
MyFWC.com/Fishing/Syr-
2008.html).


News4 0 4 FWC


 On Saturday, May 17, the
Carrabelle Waterfront Partner-
ship, the FWC and several busi-
nesses will host Bear Day at
Tillie Miller Park in Carrabelle,
from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.. Bear Day
is being held in conjunction with
the dedication of Tillie Miller
Park at 1 p.m. and the Blues in
the Park music celebration at 2
p.m.
 The event is planned so peo-
ple who have bear problems or
who just want to learn more
about bears and how to avoid
problems can speak to a wildlife
biologist, said Jessica Tice, an
environmental scientist with
FWC Bear Management Pro-
gram. "Biologists will discuss
methods used to reduce prob-
lems and ways to increase enjoy-
ment of local wildlife."
 Tice said residents who are
having problems with bears get-
ting into their garbage may bring
their garbage cans to both events
so staff and volunteers can help
retrofit the cans to be more bear-
resistant. If a garbage container
can not be retrofitted, a limited
number of cans will be given
away to the public.
 Volunteers will conduct a
bear-resistant caddy build-off
competition. Participants will be
given instructions, along with an
example, for making their own
bear-resistant container. Tice
said the caddies built in the com-
petitions will be donated to the
parks to increase recycling and
reduce trash problems from
bears in the area of Tillie Miller
Park.
 Activities and crafts are
 planned for kids. Kids will have
 opportunities to learn how to
 make a plaster cast of bear
 tracks, touch a real bear hide,
 play games and color pictures of
 bears. Drinks and snacks will be
 provided at both locations.
 For more information, e-
 mail Jessica Tice at jessica.
 tice@MyFWC.com or call 850-
 617-6065.
 Enforcement actions
 FRANKLIN COUNTY:
 On April 9, Officers Travis
 Huckeba, Percy Cook and
 Charlie Wood conducted a com-
 mercial crabbing detail in
 Apalachicola Bay. The detail
 focused on commercial blue
 crabbers and their gear. Three
 crabbers were checked while
 actively engaged in commercial-
 ly harvesting blue crabs. A total
 of eight commercial crabbers'
 gear was inspected as well. The
 inspections yielded violations of
 buoy marking requirements, trap
 permit tags, biodegradable pan-
 els, vessel V-number/color dis-
 play and derelict traps. The crab-
 bers were cited for 16 violations
 and were advised to make cor-
 rections to their gear.
 On April 9, Officers Steven
 Cook and Travis Huckeba inter-
 cepted five commercial oyster
 vessels that were harvesting oys-
 ters from restricted waters near
 Cat Point. The officers issued 11
 citations to the 11 harvesters for
 the violations.


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 "Steps to Unlimited
 Possibilities"
 "Whoever wants to soar fily on the unlimited pathway of
 possibilities must first take steps "
 SEAHAWK SENIORS 2008
Dear Community Member and Business Owner,
The Firs Graduating Class from the new consolidated Franklin
County Schools will be the "Seahawk Seniors 2008". We are honored.
thankful and proud to be part of this community and school. We
would like to team up with you to help make our graduating year the
most memorable. We have thought hard and long to come up with a
fundraiser that truly brings us all together as a community and recog-
nizes you as a donor.
Leave Your Mark! In appreciation to our community and our sup.
port, we are offering thefirst "Steps to unlimited possibility' stepping
stones that will pave the pathways along the new school. These step-
ping stones will represent a pathway to a successful education experi.
ence. Each stone you purchase will be placed on the school grounds
for each generation of students to see and be proud that their commu-
nity is supporting them each step of their way.
1. Each stone will be personally engraved with your message to make
it unique to each donor, as seen above. Engravement: up to 2 Lines
with 16 letters each line.
2. Stones are approximately 12" round in diameter and I" thickness
with smooth edges made of genuine slate stone A naturally textured
top surface will give each stone depth and beauty
3. Each stepping stone will be $100 and you may purchase as many
stones as you would like. each having a unique personalized message
Each stones will be displayed at the new school. You may purchase
additional stones for your private garden to show your expanded
school spirit.
Name:__
Phone Number:_
Address:
Personal Engravement:

Stones Purchased: Check Enclosed S:
MAKE AND MAIL CHECK TO: Project Graduation 2008
(All donations are tax deductible). 661 U.S. Hwy. 98, Eastpoint,
FL 32328.
Thank you very much for teaming with the Seahawk Seniors 2008 in creating a
stronger sense of community, history and in being part of this new and exciting
educational fundraising. All the proceeds will be used as a scholarship to ALL
2008 GRADUATING SENIORS who attend project graduation 2008, For
Questions please contact: (850) 323-0380.


 Living Tree Donation Program
Dear Community Member and Business Owner,
Thank you in advance for taking an interest in our children. This let-
ter comes from the parents of the first Consolidated School 2008
Graduating Class of Franklin County.
This project is a first, for Franklin County Schools and for our com-
munity. You will be the first to be part of this great "Living Tree
Donation Program" When you purchase a tree from the Living
Tree Donation Program, you will be helping a graduating senor
expand their possibilities. Many students might not have the
resources to further their education, but with your help they can
achieve avenues they thought would not be possible. The proceeds
from this program will be used as follows: Project Graduation 2008
and to beautify our new Franklin County School Campus.
Project Graduation has been a very successful program in Franklin
County. Immediately after graduation, all seniors return to the
school gym, where they will stay until the next morning. We call it
Lockdown, during that time; we have safe and entertaining activi-
ties for them that will last all night until the next morning. These
activities will also include educational information regarding col-
lege and how to manage their money and time well. All who attend
will be awarded equal amounts of the Project Graduation 2008
Scholarship Fund that comes directly from the Living Tree
Donation Fundraiser.
This program not only helps the graduating students, you will also
be beautifying our new. "Franklin County School Campus" all the
trees purchased will be planted on the school grounds for all to see
for future years to come. As an appreciation to your donations, we
will be placing your name on the beautiful Donor Tree Wall for all
who enter the Franklin County School Campus to sec. Your dona-
tion will always be known and appreciated.

TREES PURCHASED & PLANTED (All trees are native to
our area): Palms/Chase Tree/Southern Magnolia/Live Oak.
DONATION (You may donate as many trees as you would
like): $150 per tree.
Your Name:
Address:
Phone Number:
How many trees will you be donating:
MAKE AND MAIL CHECK TO: Project Graduation 2008
(All donations are tax deductible). Questions: (850) 323-0380.
661 U.S. Hwy. 98, Eastpoint, FL 32328.
 GO SEAHAWKSI