16296405, 68B-60.002 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 16296405

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Marine Fisheries

Chapter:

Barracuda

Overview

RULE:

68B-60.002	Definitions
68B-60.003	Regional Size Limits
68B-60.004	Regional Bag and Vessel Limits

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this rule development is to create barracuda conservation measures for south Florida.  These rules will create a new rule chapter for barracuda in order to define great barracuda as any fish of the species Sphyraena barracuda and create recreational and commercial size and bag limits for this species in south Florida.  

In recent years, stakeholders throughout southeast Florida and the Florida Keys have voiced concerns about declines in barracuda numbers in that region of the state.  The limited available scientific data suggests that barracuda density and size in the Florida Keys may be declining, while fishing and diving stakeholders report drastic declines throughout south Florida.  Public workshops to gather additional information and stakeholder input indicated strong support for regional regulations on barracuda harvest. 

The effect of this rule will be to establish a minimum size limit of 15 inches in fork length and a maximum size limit of 36 inches in fork length for all barracuda harvested in state and federal waters off Collier, Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach and Martin counties.  Recreational barracuda harvesters would be limited to two barracuda per day, while commercial harvesters would be limited to twenty barracuda per day in these counties.  A daily commercial vessel limit of twenty barracuda would also apply.  These regulatory changes are expected to reduce barracuda harvest in the region and give the population an opportunity rebound.

SUMMARY:

This rule will create a rule chapter for barracuda with recreational and commercial size and bag limits in south Florida to reduce barracuda harvest in response to stakeholder concerns.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

LAW:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

8/3/2015 Vol. 41/149

COMMENTS:

From 8/3/2015 To 8/24/2015 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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