political perspective Panama City Crayfish Are Here To Stay by: Melissa Lupton, VP of Governmental/Military Affairs
Y
ou just thought you had heard the last of this 2-inchlong crustacean, but these little guys aren’t quite done stirring the pot in Bay County and no, we’re not talking
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission issues permits at this level on the basis the action will not be detrimental to the survival potential of the species.
gumbo. Many can remember the Panama City Crayfish (PCC) issue
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surfacing throughout the years, but the battle continues. For three
However, in 2006, a biological status review recommended a
years, the Chamber has held a position opposing the listing of the
reclassification for the PCC. Attempts were made to list the
PCC as threatened on the endangered species list. Let’s dive into
species as Threatened due to its limited geographic distribution
where we started, where we are today, and what could possibly
and continuing decline. This listing action sat idle for several years
come.
as officials worked to revise the listing process. Completed in
State Status
2010, the newly revised listing process phased out the SSC status
Rediscovered in 1986, the Panama City crayfish was thought to be
met the criteria. Draft management plans were developed for this
extinct. A year later, conservation efforts resulted in it becoming a
species in 2016, but have yet to be finalized. Once management
state listed Species of Special Concern (SSC). This listing brought
practices are approved, the listing status of Threatened, along with
some protections, created public awareness campaigns, and
new regulations and permitting requirements, will be in full force
generated guidelines to help conserve the species and its habitat.
and effect.
BAY BIZ / FALL 2021
and proposed to up list all species to a Threatened status if they
