12996368, 68B-32.001 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 12996368

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Marine Fisheries

Chapter:

TARPON

Overview

RULE:

68B-32.001	Purpose and Intent
68B-32.002	Definitions
68B-32.003	Size Limits
68B-32.004	Restrictions on Possession of Tarpon; Commercial Harvest Prohibited
68B-32.006	Allowed and Prohibited Gear and Methods of Harvest
68B-32.007	Purchase and Sale Prohibited; Transport and Shipment
68B-32.009	Tarpon Tag Specifications

PURPOSE:

The purpose of these rule amendments is to establish tarpon as a catch and release only fishery, in recognition of the fact that the economic and fishing value of tarpon as a catch and release fishery greatly exceeds its value as a food fish. This rule amendment will convey that tarpon will be managed as a catch and release only fishery, establish tarpon as a hook and line only fishery, remove the provision that allows for a recreational bag limit of tarpon, extend tarpon rules into adjacent federal waters, reduce the transport and shipment possession allowance to one tarpon per person, and allow temporary possession for photography, measurement of length and girth, and taking a scientific sample, provided that all tarpon greater than 40 inches fork length must be kept completely in the water, and all tarpon must be released immediately following the authorized activities in the area where caught. This rule amendment will also amend the tarpon tag system in the following ways: by limiting the allowable use of a tarpon tag to pursuit of an IGFA record only, limiting the number of tags an angler can purchase or use per year to one, and creating a vessel limit of one tarpon. The entire tarpon chapter will also be reformatted to conform to the style developed for marine fisheries regulations during the Division 68B rule cleanup process.

The effect of these rule amendments will be a catch and release only tarpon fishery in Florida, with the only exception allowed for harvest being pursuit of an IGFA record. The rule amendments will otherwise allow for temporary possession of untagged tarpon for photography, measurement of length and girth, and taking a scientific sample, provided that all tarpon greater than 40 inches fork length must be kept completely in the water. The amendments will also result in simplified rule language that is easier to read and understand.

SUMMARY:

68B-32.001 will be created to convey that tarpon will be managed as a catch and release only fishery. 68B-32.004 will be amended to remove the provision that allows for a recreational bag limit of tarpon, and allow temporary possession for photography, measurement of length and girth, and taking a scientific sample, provided that all tarpon greater than 40 inches fork length must be kept completely in the water, and all tarpon must be released immediately after the authorized activities in the area where caught. 68B-32.006 will be amended to establish tarpon as a hook and line only fishery, and extend tarpon rules into adjacent federal waters. 68B-32.007 will be created to reduce the transport and shipment possession allowance to one tarpon per person. The tarpon tag system will be modified in rule 68B-32.009 to limit the allowable use of a tarpon tag to pursuit of an IGFA record only, limit the number of tags an angler can purchase or use per year to one, and create a vessel limit of one tarpon. The rule amendments will also reformat the rule to conform to the new style for Division 68B developed under the FWC’s 68B rule cleanup process.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.

LAW:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

5/14/2013 Vol. 39/94

COMMENTS:

From 5/14/2013 To 6/4/2013 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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