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FWC nixes many alligator management
proposals, approves others
June 14, 2007
Contact: Henry Cabbage (850) 528-1755
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC) decided Wednesday not to open the door to
allowing homeowners to dispose of small nuisance alligators on
their own. Rather, they decided to continue the requirement that
people contact the FWC, and the agency will dispatch nuisance
alligator trappers to remove the reptiles.
FWC Commissioners, meeting in a two-day session
in Melbourne, also turned thumbs down to a proposal to issue
statewide permits to recreational alligator hunters and agreed
to continue issuing countywide permits.
They also decided not to allow daytime
recreational alligator hunting or the use of small-caliber
handguns to dispatch alligators.
On the other hand, Commissioners did approve, in
concept, an array of new alligator management provisions,
including use of artificial lures to reel in alligators during
statewide harvests and provisions to streamline requirements of
the Private Lands Alligator Management Program.
For instance, Commissioners approved removing
the 6- to 9-foot closed slot limit on alligators taken in the
FWC’s Private Lands Alligator Management Program and to pursue
broader public awareness regarding living peacefully with
alligators.
Based on the Commissioners’ guidance, FWC staff
will prepare appropriate rule proposals for further
consideration in future Commission meetings. |
