FWC Closes Channel Key Through 2026, Withholds Key Data | The Locally Times
A Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission order closes part of Channel Key until Aug. 31, 2026, but public records do not name the protected species or provide scientific justification for the ban.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) has closed an unspecified section of Channel Key to public access, extending a previous closure through August 31, 2026. The notice, which does not specify a start date for the current closure, states the restricted area is marked and must be avoided. ## Species and Scientific Justification Omitted from Public Record The FWC notice establishes the closure but does not identify the specific protected species, preventing public understanding of the animal's conservation status or threat level. The public record does not name the species whose nesting activities require the access restriction. The documents made public by the FWC also do not include biological reports, population surveys, or environmental assessments for Channel Key. The record provides no scientific justification for the closure’s multi-year duration, nor does it explain why the restriction must last until August 31, 2026. The documents do not clarify if the closure is part of a recurring management cycle. ## Closure Boundaries and Community Impact Undefined The public notice does not define the closure's precise geographical scope. It refers to a section of Channel Key without providing a map, GPS coordinates, or a detailed boundary description, stating only that the area is marked. This leaves boaters and other recreational users without clear guidance for compliance. Furthermore, the public record lacks information on the closure's potential economic and recreational impact. Documents do not show evidence of a public comment period or consultation with local residents, fishing guides, tourism operators, or local governments before the long-term closure was enacted.