Community

Around the bay

By Times Staff Writer
Published September 29, 2007

Tournamentto benefit kids

The Family Resource Coalition will host the first FRC Fishing Challenge tournament on Oct. 6 at MacRae's Marina in Homosassa. The tournament will be for trout and redfish only, based on the total length caught per boat. Entry fee is $125 per boat with two anglers and $50 for each additional angler. Kids 12 and younger are free. Benefits from the tournament go to help special-needs children in Florida. For information, call toll-free 1-866-506-5437 or go to www.frc4kids.org.

Licenses to hunt, fish will cost more

Prices will increase for hunting and fishing licenses in Florida beginning Monday. Annual freshwater and saltwater fishing licenses for Florida residents will be $17, up from $13.50. An annual combo license, which includes hunting, freshwater and saltwater licenses, will be $32.50, up from $23.50. This is the first time hunting fees have been increased since 1979 and the first time fishing fees have increased since 1989. During the 2007 Florida legislative session, a bill was passed to increase the fees. The increased revenue, expected to be $10-million by 2010, will help offset what the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission predicts will be a $12.5-million deficit by 2010. Recent cuts in the state's annual budget have forced the FWC to drop programs.

[Last modified September 28, 2007, 20:29:10]