Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission
The FWC’s Division of Law Enforcement patrols Florida’s coastal waters to provide assistance to boaters and anglers as well as to enforce Florida’s saltwater fishing and boating laws. FWC officers assist boaters who are in distress, provide advice and direction to those who are traveling Florida’s coastline and waterways, and may issue citations for violations of state and federal fishing, wildlife and boating laws.
In emergencies or if state fisheries, wildlife or boating laws are being violated, call 888-404-FWCC (3922) or for cell phone users throughout the state, dial *FWC (*392) depending on your location, hail on VHF Channel 16 or report violations via text message. Most cell phones allow users to send text messages directly to an email address. You can text Tip@MyFWC.com; standard usage fees may apply.
Resource Information
Join the nation’s largest conservation law enforcement agency—become an FWC law enforcement officer. For more information contact the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-866-FWC-HIRE (392-4473) or visit MyFWC.com/Law
- To purchase fishing licenses:
888-FISH-FLORIDA (347-4356)
GoOutdoorsFlorida.com - FWC Division of Law Enforcement
888-404-FWCC (3922) - To report fish and wildlife law violations, call the Wildlife Alert Hotline:
888-404-FWCC (3922) - FWC Fish and Wildlife Research Institute
727-896-8626
MyFWC.com/Research - To report fish kills:
800-636-0511 - To report fish tags:
800-367-4461
TagReturn@MyFWC.com - To report sawfish sightings:
941-255-7403
sawfish@MyFWC.com - Bird entanglement
888-404-3922
727-391-6211 for Tampa area - Red tide information hotline
866-300-9399 toll free in Florida
727-552-2488 nationwide - Aquatic toxins hotline: 888-232-8635
- Shellfish harvesting questions
FDACS, 850-617-7600
https://www.fdacs.gov/Divisions-Offices - To report lionfish sightings:
1-877-786-7267
MyFWC.com/Lionfish
