Redfish released off Gulf coast of Florida's Panhandle
Photos courtesy of FWC.
Panama City, Florida – At noon on April 11, 2024, 50 hatchery-reared adult redfish were released off the waters of Panama City (Bay County in Florida's Panhandle area) to combat the decreasing population of the species along the west coast of Florida. Each of the released redfish averaged 18 to 27 inches in length.
The release took place at Destination Panama City, located at 101 West Beach Drive. The slot-sized redfish came from the Duke Energy Mariculture Center.
The release kicked off the 2024 Redfish Film Fest, presented by the Coastal Conservation Association Florida (CCA Florida), the state’s leading organization dedicated to marine fisheries conservation, education and advocacy, along with the Duke Energy Mariculture Center, and the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
The event was attended by FWC Executive Director Roger Young, FWC Chief Conservation Officer George Warthen, along with state and local government officials.
For details about the festival, visit RedfishFilmfest.com.
In recent years, the redfish population has drastically declined as a result of water quality issues and loss of habitat. To counteract these effects, CCA Florida and its partners have taken a proactive approach to habitat restoration, water quality initiatives, fisheries management and restocking efforts for one of Florida’s most sought-after inshore fish, the redfish.
“Every redfish released brings us another step closer to repopulating one of Florida’s most iconic fisheries,” said CCA Florida Executive Director Brian Gorski. “Together with our dedicated partners, we are proud to continue conserving and protecting Florida’s marine resources along the West Coast and help launch this year’s Redfish Film Fest.”
The latest restocking efforts for the nonprofit-corporate partnership are part of a multifunctional and multiyear strategy to rebuild and maintain game fish stocks, and releasing adult, slot-sized redfish makes a quicker impact to the fishery as it significantly increases the chances for spawning.
In the past five years with support from FWC, CCA Florida and Duke Energy have released nearly 450,000 redfish and spotted seatrout (4 to 30 inches) along Florida’s East and West Coasts to help provide abundant recreational fishing opportunities.