Destin, FL (PRWEB) April 26, 2008 -- The Courtyard Sandestin Hotel at Grand Boulevard is offering fishermen and women an unbeatable hotel on dry land to help them steady their sea legs after days spent out on the water.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (FWC) Fish and Wildlife Research Institute (FWRI) opens its doors for MarineQuest 2008 on Saturday, April 19, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Last year over 3,000 people attended the free, award-winning open house at the FWRI headquarters in downtown St. Petersburg. Now in its 14th year, MarineQuest offers the public the opportunity to experience science firsthand with more than 60 exhibits featuring interactive displays, live animals and events for all ages.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) proposed two changes to its stone crab management rules during a public meeting in Tallahassee on Thursday. A final public hearing on these rule proposals will take place during the June 11-12 FWC meeting in Dania Beach.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) proposed a draft rule on Thursday that would allow commercial fishers to harvest striped or black mullet on weekends. A final public hearing on this rule proposal will take place during the June 11-12 FWC meeting in Dania Beach.

An agreement between Florida and Georgia that allows senior citizens from either state to hunt and fish in fresh water without licenses in both states is about to end. The agreement, which dates back to 1981, will end on June 30.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) Wednesday approved the Gopher Tortoise Permitting Guidelines, the first major step in launching the gopher tortoise management plan approved by the Commission last September. The FWC reclassified the gopher tortoise to a threatened species last year, and the management plan serves as a blueprint to conserve the species.

Each month the International Game Fish Association’s highlights selected documented fish catches made from across the globe and submitted for world records. IGFA world records coordinator Rebecca Wright provided the following information on these 14 recent submissions now before the world records review committee:

For hands-on activities for youngsters nothing beats the IGFA Junior Angler annual Summer Camps beginning in June. Now in its ninth year at the IGFA International Fishing Hall of Fame in Dania Beach, Fla., the association will be offering nine weeklong summer camp adventures for children ages 8 – 13 running from June 9 - August 15th.

Are you new to boating or would like for you and members of your family to be safer boaters? Next month the IGFA and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission will team together to host its next free Boaters Safety Courses beginning on Saturday, May 10, at the IGFA International Fishing Hall of Fame, Dania Beach, Fla.

The popular IGFA Family Fishing Clinic at the IGFA International Fishing Hall of Fame in Dania Beach, Fla., returns on Saturday, April 19, from 11 a.m. - 2 p.m. IGFA staff members will be available for the free event to provide instruction on casting, knot tying, regulations, angling techniques and conservation practices.

Due to its popularity, the variety of appealing curriculums for local waters, the limited class sizes and expert instructors, the IGFA School of Sportfishing has added more classes to begin its seventh session in mid-April.

Hailed for nearly a decade as the “Super Bowl” of fly and light-tackle inshore fishing, the International Game Fish Association’s Inshore World Championship stands to grow even more prestigious thanks to a recently announced partnership with the Florida Keys Flyfishing School & Outfitters, Inc., dba Florida Keys Outfitters.

It’s the final month of preparation as 63 teams from nearly 30 countries on five continents practice for the 2008 IGFA Offshore World Championship May 11 – 16, at one of the world’s top fishing locations Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Last month in the IGFA Hot News for March, we highlighted the top anglers from around the world who will be honored April 12 at the IGFA’s Fifth Annual World Record Achievement Awards (WRAA) celebration (please see http://www.igfa.org/News.asp?qs=203).

Four men and a lady, all who have made significant contributions to the sport of recreational fishing, will be inducted as the 10th class into the International Game Fish Association International Fishing Hall of Fame this fall. The announcement of the class of 2008 includes Henry Chee, Dr. Roy Dean, Jimmy Houston, Kay Rybovich and Karl Wickstrom.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has announced the anticipated availability of grant funds under the Florida Boating Improvement Program. This program provides funding through competitive grants for boating-access projects and other boating-related activities on Florida's coastal or inland waters. The FWC expects funding for fiscal year 2008-09 to be $6.6 million.

Feral hogs have a reputation for destroying wildlife habitat with their foraging habits and high reproductive rates. Nowhere is that more clear than on the Blackwater Wildlife Management Area, Hutton Unit, near Milton.

Untitled Document

Free "How to Get Started in Boating" DVD!

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has formed a team to study and make recommendations on rules concerning freshwater turtle harvest.

There are restrictions on the harvest of several freshwater turtle species, but softshell turtles have no restrictions on their harvest, except during the closed season, May through July. Also during this closed season, their eggs may not be taken from the wild. Recent reports of increases in the harvest of these turtles have raised concern among turtle experts, environmentalists and the FWC.

Bainbridge Island, Washington - The top names in Fly Fishing have joined forces together to put togther a world-class fly fishing outfit as a fundraiser for Trout Unlimited-Alaska to help with their efforts protecting the Bristol Bay watershed.