ABOUT THE PROGRAM

The Fisheries Awareness Class is a FREE program offered by Biscayne National Park to help you learn more about fishing in our Park. The objective of the course is to produce educated anglers and park visitors that are knowledgeable of the fishing regulations and understand the rationale behind these rules. During the class, some of the things you will learn include:

NPS Photo

Captain Muratori shares some of his experiences from years of fishing in South Florida

• Importance of fishing regulations to us and to the fish
• How to correctly interpret and follow the fishing regulations
• How to correctly identify your catch
• Catch and release techniques
• Tackle choice and maintenance
• New fishing tips and techniques

KODAK/NPS Photo by Neil Montanus

A ranger checks an angler's catch as part of a routine safety stop in Biscayne National Park

WHO CAN ATTEND?

This FREE course is offered to the general public as a service to the community and a means of preempting violations from taking place. In addition, the course is preferentially offered as a mitigation option to individuals who have received fishing citations. Similar to driving school, individuals who have received fishing citations may, at the discretion of the U.S. Attorney's Office and the ticketing law enforcement agent, take the course in exchange for having their fine reduced or waived.

Mapquest

Directions to the class location

WHEN AND WHERE

When
Third Wednesday of every month, odd numbered month classes offered in English, even numbered month classes offered in Spanish:

May 20, 2009:  English
June 17, 2009:  Spanish
July 15, 2009:  English
August 19, 2009:  Spanish
September 16, 2009:  English
October 21, 2009:  Spanish
November 18, 2009:  English
December 16, 2009:  Spanish

Time
6:00PM to 9:30PM

Where
Suniland Park, Pinecrest
12855 South Dixie Hwy. (US-1)
Miami, Florida 33156

CONTACT INFORMATION

For more information or to enroll, please contact:

Steven Saul
Biological Technician (Fisheries)
305-230-1144 Ext. 3089
e-mail

Se habla español.

Randall, J.E.

Swimming mutton snapper.

FISH OF THE MONTH: Mutton Snapper

Mutton snapper (Lutjanus analis) are primarialy found as adults on hard bottom or coral reef habitats, while juveniles inhabit seagrass and algal beds.  Muttons
sometimes form small foraging aggregations during the day, but primarialy forage independently at night. Their diet consists of other fish, shrimp, crabs, cephalopods, and gastropods.  Muttons are commonly targeted by anglers throughout South Florida and the Caribbean as a source of good quality meat. Mutton snapper are most frequently misidentified as lane snapper, due to their similar appearance, particularly when the mutton snapper is a juvenile, and the presence of a black spot on the back of both snapper species. The triangular, pointed anal fin of the mutton snapper distinguishes this species from its cousin, the lane snapper.

Here in South Florida, mutton snapper MUST be GREATER THAN 16 INCHES TOTAL LENGTH in order to be harvested and are included in the aggregate snapper bag limit of 10 PER PERSON PER DAY.