The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's mission is to manage fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people.

Seven commission members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate to five-year terms.

The commission manages and protects fish and wildlife resources and their habitat by

• conserving and managing habitat for a diversity of species;
• developing and implementing plans for conserving species;
• developing and enforcing fishing and hunting regulations, public access regulations for wildlife management areas, and boating safety laws;
• producing and distributing selected freshwater species of fish;
• providing hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing opportunities; and
• researching, monitoring, and conducting surveys of fish and wildlife species.

The commission conducts these activities through six divisions.

• Law Enforcement protects Florida's fish and wildlife resources and the public who enjoy them.
• Fish and Wildlife Research Institute provides timely information and guidance to protect, conserve, and manage Florida's fish and wildlife resources.
• Habitat and Species Conservation ensures healthy populations of all native species and their habitats on a statewide basis.
• Hunting and Game Management facilitates the safe, responsible, and sustained use of Florida's wildlife.
• Freshwater Fisheries Management manages, enhances, and conserves Florida's fresh water aquatic life for public benefit.
• Marine Fisheries Management facilitates the responsible and sustained use of Florida's marine life resources.

In addition, the commission's Executive Direction and Administrative Services program supports agency programs by providing budget, legal, and other administrative services.

Boating and Waterways. The 2022 Legislature enacted Ch. 2022-142, Laws of Florida, specifying that a vessel is at risk of becoming derelict if it is tied to an unlawful or unpermitted mooring or other structure. The law also authorizes the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to provide grants to local governments for the removal of derelict vessels or vessels declared a public nuisance.

Gopher Tortoises. Chapter 2022-142, Laws of Florida, also adds responsibilities to the Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for gopher tortoises. The law requires that each land managing agency, in consultation with the commission, to consider the feasibility of using a portion of state lands as a gopher tortoise recipient site. Each qualifying site must contain a management with a component prepared by the agency or cooperatively with a commission wildlife biologist that assesses the feasibility of managing the lands as a recipient site for gopher tortoises consistent with the commission's rules. Additionally, the commission must streamline and improve the gopher tortoise recipient site application review process by approving or denying such applications with 45 days of receipt. The commission must also submit a report to the Legislature by February 1, 2023, that includes

• the progress made in establishing new recipient sites;
• the average time it takes to approve or deny an application;
• any federal action taken to modify the listing of the gopher tortoise under the Endangered Species Act; and
• any other information relevant to the gopher tortoise conservation program. 

Other Reports
Agency Strategic Plan 2020-2024, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, May 6, 2020.

2021-22 Programs of the FWC, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

A complete list of Auditor General reports is available on its website. 

Websites of Interest
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Inspector General
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Legislative Affairs
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Research Publications
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Performance Information

Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

Article IV, Section 9, Constitution of the State of Florida, and s. 20.331 and  20.3311 and Chs. 379 and 327, Florida Statutes.

Eric Sutton, Executive Director, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 850-487-3796, e-mail: eric.sutton@myfwc.com

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