The purpose of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is to manage fish and wildlife resources for their long-term well-being and the benefit of people. The Florida Constitution authorizes the commission to enact rules and regulations regarding these resources.

The Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission meets four times per year at various locations across the state to receive reports from staff, obtain stakeholder input, consider rule proposals, and conduct other business. The seven commission members are appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate to five-year terms.

The commission's activities include the following.

• Law Enforcement protects Florida’s natural resources and people through proactive and responsive law enforcement services. Activities include protecting Florida's fish, wildlife, and habitats to ensure their long-term well-being; providing public safety; enforcing laws to protect Florida's resources; ensuring compliance with fishing, hunting, and boating safety regulations; investigating and monitoring the illegal shipping of protected and regulated wildlife into Florida; and supporting domestic and homeland security in Florida's ports.
• Fish and Wildlife Research Institute provides timely information and guidance to protect, conserve, and manage Florida's fish and wildlife resources. The institute's activities include monitoring and providing information on the status of fish and wildlife health; responding to oil spills and other disasters; and providing science-based assessments of fish and wildlife resources to the commission and others that regulate and manage the state's natural resources.
• Habitat and Species Conservation ensures healthy populations of all native species and their habitats on a statewide basis. Activities include coordinating non-native species management and research to protect native species in Florida; developing and implementing species management plans for managing threatened species and implementing conservation programs that are designed to maintain Florida's unique wildlife diversity; directing, regulating, and distributing funds for the control of invasive plants on public conservation lands and in public water bodies for the protection of native plant and animal life, human health, safety, recreation, and property; managing aquatic habitat for freshwater, estuarine, and marine systems to benefit the widest possible array of fish and wildlife; managing natural plant communities on public lands for diversity of wildlife species while providing quality recreational experiences; and providing support and assistance for habitat-related issues to private and public sector landowners to inform and influence land and water use decisions affecting wildlife habitat management.
• Hunting and Game Management manages and conserves game wildlife for the future, while fostering safe and responsible hunting. Activities include developing and expanding public hunting opportunities; delivering hunter safety training and certification; managing public shooting ranges; providing scientific expertise to inform decisions on managing game wildlife species; and communicating about rules, regulations, opportunities, programs, and wildlife management activities related to its mission.
• Freshwater Fisheries Management provides expertise on freshwater fish populations, angler use, or other aspects of freshwater fisheries needed for management decisions by the commission, and to assess impacts of decisions made by others to ensure quality fisheries and fishing in selected Florida lakes, fish management areas, rivers, and streams. Activities include providing information on freshwater fisheries management issues, fishing opportunities, fish pond management, fish kills, or other general fisheries-related issues; delivering aquatic education and outreach to future anglers to expose them to angler ethics, fisheries management, aquatic ecology, tackle crafting, angling skills, fish identification, and other aspects aimed at promoting responsible life-long participation in sport fishing; and operating two freshwater fish hatcheries for stocking carefully selected public waterbodies.
• Marine Fisheries Management develops regulatory and management recommendations for consideration by the commission designed to ensure the long-term conservation of Florida's valuable marine fisheries resources. Staff also serve as a liaison to a number of federal agencies on marine issues. Specific activities include preparation of fishery strategic plans; compiling fishery data and public input; assisting in the development and deployment of artificial reefs; assisting in derelict trap retrieval efforts; providing outreach and education on recreational and commercial marine fisheries; and issuing special activity licenses for scientific research, education, and exhibition.

The funding information listed below is provided by Transparency Florida. Additional funding information can be obtained on the State of Florida Fiscal Portal or by contacting the commission.

Information on the commission's performance may be found in its Reports to the Legislature and Governor.

OPPAGA Reports and Presentations
A complete list of related OPPAGA reports and presentations is available on our website. 

Other Reports
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Research Publications
2025-26 Programs of the FWC, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2025
A complete list of Florida Auditor General reports is available on its website.

Websites of Interest
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

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

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Contact Website
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
620 South Meridian Street
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-6517
(850) 488-4676
Website