18716070, 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: 18716070

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 modify the 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 the first Saturday in May (May 6 for 2017). The season would open each day of the week beginning the Saturday before Memorial Day (May 27 for 2017) through the Sunday following July 4. Finally, the season would reopen for Fridays, Saturdays, Sundays in September and October including Labor Day (Monday, September 4 in 2017). The purpose of this rule is to maintain recreational red snapper fishing opportunities 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 2017 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 9-day season. At the February 2017 meeting, the Commission proposed a Gulf state waters season similar to the state season structure in 2016.

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 the first Saturday in May; opening each day of the week from the Saturday before Memorial Day through the Sunday following July 4; with the season resuming for Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays throughout September and October including Labor Day.  If October 31 falls on a Saturday, the last day of harvest will be Sunday, November 1.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

LAW:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

3/13/2017 Vol. 43/49

COMMENTS:

From 3/13/2017 To 4/3/2017 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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