OKALOOSA COUNTY, Fla. — – Destin-Fort Walton Beach and the Coastal Conservation Association Florida released 30,000 juvenile rockfish into Choctawhatchee Bay at Lion’s Park in Niceville on Tuesday.

The CCA seeks to combat declining rockfish populations in Northwest Florida fisheries and improve the population through stocking initiatives for one of Florida’s most popular inshore fish species.

“This species is very important to the health of Choctawhatchee Bay because it benefits the overall quality of the estuary and provides additional fishing opportunities for the future,” said board president Paul Mixon. of Okaloosa County. “We look forward to future partnerships with CCA Florida and seeing how this work will contribute to the abundance of the redfish population.”

The CCA says the redfish were about three to four inches long and could take about three years to reach 26 inches in length.

“We are excited to return to Choctawhatchee Bay for our second redfish release in collaboration with Okaloosa County,” said Brian Gorski, Executive Director of CCA Florida. “This event is a great example of what can be achieved when partners share the same goal, supporting the health and sustainability of Florida’s iconic fisheries for generations to come.”