PAGE 12 - December 23, 2015
The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
Seasonal grouper closure starts Jan. 1
in  Several species of grouper will close to recreational and commercial harvest start-
Atlantic, Monroe County waters
ing Jan. 1 in Florida state waters of the Atlantic, including Monroe County. This seasonal
closure includes gag, black, red, yellowmouth, yellowfin and tiger grouper; scamp; red
hind; rock hind; coney; and graysby. State waters in the Atlantic are from shore out to 3
nautical miles.
The harvest of these species of grouper in Atlantic state waters will remain closed
through April 30, reopening May 1. The harvest closure was established to ensure the long-
term sustainability of Atlantic grouper species.
A similar closure will also occur in federal waters of the Atlantic. Tiger grouper is
not included in the federal closure.
Aerial Manatee Survey for
Crystal River Area
The Newscaster
The
National Wildlife Refuge Staff from the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
5093 S. Orwell Pt., Homosassa, Florida 34446
conducted an aerial survey of manatees on December 21, 2015. A total of 386 manatees
Phone: (352) 489-4588  Fax: (727) 362-4788
were counted along the survey route, stretching from the Cross Florida Barge Canal, near  WIN WIN: Last week when Major Crimes Unit deputies posed for a photograph thanking the
Inglis, south to the Homosassa River. Included along this route are the  Crystal River,il, Tom Russell, Publisher: thenewscaster1@gmail.comIEmail, Debbie Russell, Editor: d
Ema
citizens of Citrus County for supporting law enforcement, it apparently started a trend within
Kings Bay, and the discharge canal of the Crystal River Power Plant, Salt River, and theWebsitorganization. School Resourcenewscasterarchives.com · history.newscasterarchives.c
es: thenewscaster.com ·
the
Officers stepped up to the plate, Dec. 18, declaring their
Homosassa River, which includes the Blue Waters.
love of protecting the students and school staff members and saying thank you for the sup-
Wednesday's count:
port they receive in return.
King s Bay:  215  + 25 calves = 240
Amberjack, triggerfish reopen Jan. 1
Crystal River:
3  = 3

 
The recreational harvest of greater amberjack and gray triggerfish will reopen to
Salt River:
0 =  0

harvest in Gulf state and federal waters Jan. 1 and the greater amberjack size limit will
Power Plant Discharge Canal:
24 = 24

  
change from 30 inches to 34 inches fork length in Gulf state and federal waters Jan. 4.
Cross Florida Barge Canal:
2 =  2
River109+5
 (Blue Waters):
    calves = 114
Recent stock assessments have indicated that greater amberjack and gray triggerfish in the
Homosassa
Gulf of Mexico are overfished, which means there notenoughfor populations
  are   fish these 
Lower 3 =3
Homosassa River:
    Total:
356  + 30 calves = 386
to remain sustainable. Greater amberjack are also undergoing  which means
   overfishing,    

more fish are being removed from the populationthansustainable.   
  is    Greater amberjack


closed early on Sept. 28 in Gulf federal waters and Nov. 21 in Gulf state waters.
Captains    
Cove Outfitter
BUDDY & FRED'S HARDWARE
39 W.Inglis, 447-5610
Hwy. 40 · FL · (352) 


Open5:45-6pm
M-Sa  Sun. 5:45-5pm

Mre 
o Than A Bait Store

Even bait
though we have a great  selection!

 

 Merry


    

Christmas!
Serving Inglis, Yankeetown, Dunnellon, Hernando, Crystal River & Homosassa

5093 S. Orwell Pt., Homosassa, Florida 34446


Visit our Website, www.thenewscaster.com    
Phone (352) 489-4588 Fax (727) 362-4788

Email (Tom Russell, Publisher) thenewscaster1@gmail.com   


Email (Debbie Russell, Editor) debbienewscaster@gmail.com   


All Our Staff are Fishermen
Local Guides Available

We have  Family   Atmosphere
a Clean    Friendly

Top Qualityrods&for beginners
     reels
to  experts.Large  selection
   of Saltwater Tackle
 
CORRECTED
d Proof
A

$374,900


League ofoWomen
n t $374.900

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Voters(SO SORRY ICounty
of Citrus overlooked


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that error. Thank you for

BUDDY
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    

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email: lwvcc2013@gmail.com
1.acrsRBfor only
5   e , 2B   / 2   A     
$
2
7
0
,
0
0
0
