17283671, 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: 17283671

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:

The Commission is considering changes to state regulations that would set a 78-day recreational harvest season for red snapper in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico. The season would first open for Saturdays and Sundays in May starting May 7. The season would open continuously beginning the Saturday before Memorial Day (May 28 for 2016) through July 10. Finally, the season would reopen for Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays in September and October including Labor Day (Monday, September 5 in 2016). The purpose of this rule is to maintain recreational red snapper fishing opportunities in Gulf state waters and provide additional May and fall weekend fishing opportunities for anglers fishing for red snapper in Gulf state waters.

The effect of this rule amendment is to balance the economic and social needs of Florida’s recreational anglers with the conservation needs of red snapper in the Gulf of Mexico. Federal season lengths have been decreasing since 2008 resulting in decreased red snapper fishing opportunities throughout the Gulf. The 2016 recreational red snapper season for private anglers in Gulf federal waters has not yet been announced, but is not expected to be longer than last year’s 10-day season. At the February 2016 meeting, the Commission proposed a 2016 Gulf state waters season similar to the season structure in 2015, while also increasing opportunities in the spring and fall for anglers fishing in state waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

SUMMARY:

The proposed final rule would modify the recreational harvest season for red snapper in all state waters of the Gulf of Mexico to be Saturdays and Sundays in May beginning May 7, opening continuously from the Saturday before Memorial Day through July 10, with the season resuming for Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays throughout September and October including Labor Day.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

LAW:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

3/15/2016 Vol. 42/51

COMMENTS:

From 3/15/2016 To 4/5/2016 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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