Rule changes approved to allow production and sale of largemouth bass in Florida
Florida largemouth bass.
At its March 2022 meeting, FWC commissioners approved rules to allow for the production and sale of Florida largemouth bass as a food product.
Statutory changes made during the 2021 legislative session sanctioned the sale of Florida largemouth bass produced in aquaculture facilities for food. FWC staff members worked with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) to ensure continued genetic conservation of Florida’s iconic freshwater game fish.
Key points:
• The rule language allows for the culture and sale of Florida's largemouth bass as a food fish.
• The rule language incorporates the FWC’s Genetic Authentication Standards for Florida largemouth bass into rule by reference.
• The rule language prohibits the importation into the state or transportation within the state of any live bass species, except permitted Florida largemouth bass that meet FWC’s largemouth bass Genetic Authentication Standards.
• The rule language requires that any shipment of live bass in Florida be accompanied with documentation required by FDACS and FWC.
Prior to presentation of the draft rules at the December 2021 Commission meeting, FWC staff members held four public meetings and solicited online comments from stakeholders. Angling and industry stakeholders attended meetings, and their combined input was taken into consideration and utilized during the rule drafting process.
"We appreciate the ongoing collaboration with FDACS, and we are confident in the established protocols in place to protect Florida’s iconic gamefish,” said FWC Commissioner Gary Lester.