Ahhh… At last! The remnants of the cold rain water being diverted from the lakes and canals along south Florida has abated. The poor visibility has been replaced with warm, crystal-clear water from the Gulf Stream. In fact, the water is so nice the dive guides have begun to peel the multiple layers of neoprene. Their winter coat has, no doubt, been shed for the upcoming summer solstice.

The current was moving a little extra fast today which made it a little harder to search for the smaller critters, but the bigger ones seem to be abundance. It seemed as though we would see a turtle every hundred yards or so. To finish it off, at Turtle Mound (aka. The Turtle Parking Garage) there were four turtles hanging around; some sleeping, some cruising around, and one who was intent on polishing up for a hot date later tonight.

And on the eleventh hour as I was on my safety stop a juvenile sailfish cruised within ten feet of me. Fumbling with my camera, which was clipped off to my BC, I was able to only catch a small video of it as it swam away. This lovely sailfish gave the wonderstruck videographer no second take on such a unique encounter. As a note to self (and all you with cameras): Practice your best western gun camera slinger technique so you can always capture the moment as it happens.

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The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has scheduled a series of public workshops this month to receive comments on the management of sharks. The FWC is seeking feedback on options for amending its shark management rules that would comply with the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission?s Interstate Fishery Management Plan for Atlantic Coastal Sharks.

The Commission wants to hear public comments regarding the recreational and commercial harvest of sharks in state waters of Florida, including possible changes to shark bag and size limits, the prohibited shark species list, and shark landing requirements and gear rules.

The FWC encourages interested persons to participate in the workshops, which will take place from 6-8 p.m. local time, as follows:

Monday, June 15
Gulf Coast Community College
5230 W. U.S. Hwy. 98
Social Science Building, Room #201
Panama City

Monday, June 22
Brevard Agricultural Center
3695 Lake Drive
Cocoa

Tuesday, June 23
IGFA Fishing Hall of Fame and Museum
300 Gulf Stream Way
Dania Beach

Wednesday, June 24
City of Key Colony Beach
City Hall Building
Mile Marker 53.5
600 W. Ocean Drive
Key Colony Beach

Thursday, June 25
Punta Gorda City Hall
326 W. Marion Ave.
Punta Gorda

Anyone requiring special accommodations to participate in the workshops should advise the FWC at least five days prior to the workshop by calling 850-488-6411. If you are hearing- or speech-impaired, contact the FWC using the Florida Relay Service at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or 800-955-8770 (voice).

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