By ROBIN SIMONEAUX
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is organizing the 2025 Seatrout Symposium, an all-day event that will bring together anglers, scientists, fisheries managers, and conservationists for a deep dive into the past, present, and future of spotted seatrout in Florida.
The symposium is scheduled for Aug. 27 at the Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, and all interested stakeholders are encouraged to attend.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE SYMPOSIUM
Informative Presentations
A series of presentations happening throughout the day will provide attendees with a comprehensive overview of the spotted seatrout fishery throughout Florida. Experts will present key findings from the latest stock assessment for spotted seatrout and FWC’s 2025 spotted seatrout angler satisfaction survey.
Presenters will also explore conservation and restoration efforts aimed at improving habitat and water quality, discuss current management strategies and future considerations, and talk about the FWC programs that monitor seatrout populations and their habitats throughout the state.
Interactive Discussions
This symposium will build on the state’s history of successful collaborative conservation efforts. Participants will be invited to contribute their expertise and experiences during interactive discussions and engage directly with other experts and anglers throughout the state.
Whether you’re a commercial fisherman, an experienced angler, or just getting into fishing, FWC is looking for the public’s insights to shape innovative, forward-thinking management strategies to ensure thriving and healthy seatrout populations for future generations.
A New Chapter in Seatrout Management
Participation in the 2025 Seatrout Symposium will help shape the future management of the fishery, and FWC wants anglers be part of the conversation.
Building on the success of FWC’s holistic management approaches for redfish and snook, the FWC is now focusing on spotted seatrout. The goal is to use multiple metrics to evaluate the spotted seatrout fishery and tailor management at a more regional scale that better accommodates Florida’s diverse coastal ecosystems and angler communities.
Robin Simoneaux is the public information coordinator for the Division of Marine Fisheries Management.
EVENT DETAILS
When: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m., August 27
Where: Hilton Daytona Beach Oceanfront Resort, Daytona Beach, Florida
Cost: Free
For the latest news about the Seatrout Symposium, how to register, and to view the agenda, please visit:
MyFWC.com/SeatroutSymposium
Sponsors:
• Coastal Conservation Association Florida
• Sea & Shoreline
• Aquatic Conservation
• American Sportfishing Association
• Bonefish and Tarpon Trust
• Angler Action Foundation
