13653931, 68B-14.0038 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 13653931

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Marine Fisheries

Chapter:

REEF FISH

Overview

RULE:

68B-14.0038

Recreational Snapper Seasons

PURPOSE:

A federal stock assessment update completed in 2012 showed that vermilion snapper are not overfished or undergoing overfishing. As a result, the November through March recreational closed season in Atlantic federal waters has been eliminated (formerly 50 C.F.R. § 622.183 (b)(4); amended 78 FR 47574, August 6, 2013). The rule amendment would eliminate the annual November through March recreational season closure for vermilion snapper in Atlantic state waters. The purpose of this rule is to achieve consistency between the Commission’s vermilion snapper regulations in state waters of the Atlantic Ocean and regulations in Atlantic federal waters. 

The effect of this rule amendment is that federal and state vermilion snapper regulations can be applied consistently off Florida’s east coast. Consistent regulations in state waters would eliminate confusion when fishing for snappers in the Atlantic Ocean off Florida and provide more recreational opportunities for anglers from November to March. 

68B-14.0038 (Recreational Snapper Seasons) would be amended to eliminate language providing a closed season for recreational vermilion snapper harvest in state waters of the Atlantic Ocean during the months of November through March.

SUMMARY:

Bud Vielhauer, General Counsel, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600, (850) 487-1764.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

LAW:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

10/9/2013 Vol. 39/197

COMMENTS:

From 10/9/2013 To 10/30/2013 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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