FWC

New state guidelines to protect endangered beach-nesting birds will not take effect until this time next year. Originally those guidelines. applauded by bird advocates. were slated to start last month, but The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission delayed its effective date.

The FWC wrote the measure's language, announced it as a legislative initiative, and lobbied for it right before they announced Operation Viper, in which the agency busted people who were allegedly illegally selling venomous snakes.

There are more boats on Florida’s waters, more inexperienced captains, and more people living in the state than ever before. Add to that mix new boat owners, most without enough education and training, and the results are proving deadly.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is extending most of the provisions of an executive order that conservationists say favors development over gopher tortoises.

Florida wildlife authorities say the number of manatee deaths in the state has nudged higher with recent cold weather.

The state wants to make boaters in the Keys anchored out "on the hook" move to regulated mooring fields or move every three months. Some boaters say that would sink one of the last affordable ways to live in the expensive island chain.

State wildlife officials are seeking nearly $7 million from lawmakers as they scramble to address a record year of manatee deaths in Florida’s degraded waters.

As people get ready to head out onto the water in large numbers over the holiday weekend, the state has released its annual report on accidents. The Keys are in the top spot — as they have been for 11 out of the last 14 years.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is hosting events to help tegu and green iguana owners get their pets microchipped before July 28. After that date, owners would be breaking the law if their reptiles aren’t chipped and registered with the FWC.

Florida’s Prohibited Species List now has 16 new high-risk nonnative reptiles added. They include Argentine black and white tegus, green iguanas, Nile monitor lizards, Burmese pythons, reticulated pythons, and green anacondas.

Commercial breeding of non-native tegu lizards and green iguanas in Florida will end in three years despite the objections of reptile dealers and owners warning of the potential destruction of their industry.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is considering banning people from buying tegus and green iguanas to keep as pets.