Florida imposing limits on barracuda fishing off 6 counties

MIAMI (AP) – Saltwater fishermen will soon face new size limits on barracuda caught off six southern Florida counties.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission says the new limits will apply off Monroe, Miami-Dade, Collier, Broward, Palm Beach and Martin counties starting New Year’s Day.

Barracuda less than 15 inches must be thrown back and only one barracuda longer than 36 inches can be harvested per day per vessel or person, whichever is less. The commission says the reason for the limit is that the number of barracuda off the Florida coast is decreasing. Younger fish are the most vulnerable while the bigger fish are responsible for most breeding.