20202498, 68B-59.001 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 20202498

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Marine Fisheries

Chapter:

Sheepshead

Overview

RULE:

68B-59.001	Designation as Restricted Species; Applicability of Rules to State and Federal Waters
68B-59.003	Size Limit; Landed in Whole Condition Requirement
68B-59.004	Bag and Vessel Limits; Bycatch Allowance
68B-59.006	Allowed and Prohibited Gear and Methods of Harvest; Bycatch Exception

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this rule amendment is to provide for the further conservation of sheepshead by modifying the regulations found in 68B-59, Florida Administrative Code.  The effect of this rule will be to reduce the recreational daily bag limit from 15 to five (5) sheepshead per person and implement a recreational vessel limit of 50 sheepshead during the peak spawning months of March and April.  The rule will also extend the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (Commission) current and proposed sheepshead regulations into federal waters off Florida.

SUMMARY:

In consideration of public concerns about the sustainability of sheepshead under the current regulatory framework, and the trend toward increasing fishing pressure on inshore stocks, this rule will reduce the recreational daily bag limit to five (5) sheepshead per person and implement a recreational vessel limit of 50 sheepshead in March and April.  This rule will also extend the Commission’s sheepshead regulations into federal waters off Florida.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

LAW:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

3/21/2018 Vol. 44/56

COMMENTS:

From 3/21/2018 To 4/11/2018 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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