TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission extended the current catch-and-release only order on snook and redfish and addition seven months and added additional areas to the north.
Last month, FWC announced a catch and release Executive Order in effect from the northernmost point of Anna Maria Island to Gordon Pass in Collier County, through October 12th.
Now they've extended the order to remain in effect until May 10, 2019.
They also moved the northern boundary from Anna Maria Island in Manatee County, all the way up to the Pasco/Hernando county line, including the entire Tampa Bay area.
Regulations outside of these boundaries remain unchanged.
"If they are going to open it up in a year or two, they might as well leave it open, this is a waste of time," said Charter Captain Rhett Morris.
Morris says the catch and release regulations should be in place for 5 years, to allow time for the species to regenerate.
"I would rate the inshore management of fisheries in Southwest Florida as very poor."
Persistent red tide along the Southwest Florida coast this summer have taken a heavy toll on local fish populations, causing extensive fish kills along the coast.
