22876982, 68B-14.001 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 22876982

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Marine Fisheries

Chapter:

REEF FISH

Overview

RULE:

68B-14.001	Purpose and Intent, Designation as Restricted Species
68B-14.002	Definitions
68B-14.0036	Recreational Bag Limits: Snapper, Grouper, Hogfish, Black Sea Bass, Red Porgy, Amberjacks, Tilefish, Exception, Wholesale/Retail Purchase Exemption
68B-14.0038	Recreational Snapper Seasons
68B-14.006	Other Prohibitions and Exception

PURPOSE:

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Commission) is considering changes to state Gulf red snapper regulations based on recent federal regulation changes. The U.S. Secretary of Commerce recently approved delegating authority to manage private recreational red snapper harvest in federal waters from the Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council (Council)/NOAA Fisheries to the states long-term starting in 2020.
The purpose of these rule amendments is to extend Florida’s regulations for Gulf recreational red snapper harvest (i.e., seasons, bag limits, and size limits) into Gulf federal waters. This rule amendment would also streamline the process used to set the season and allow federally-permitted for-hire vessels, which have their own season set by NOAA Fisheries, to possess (but not harvest) red snapper in state waters while the federal for-hire season is open but state waters are closed. Additionally, this rule amendment will also include minor, non-substantive technical changes to current rule language.

SUMMARY:

These rule amendments will modify state Gulf red snapper regulations to extend Florida’s regulations for Gulf recreational red snapper harvest into Gulf federal waters for 2020 and beyond. These rule amendments will also streamline the process used to set the annual season, allow an exception for federally-permitted for-hire vessels to possess (but not harvest) red snapper in state waters when state waters are closed, and make minor, non-substantive technical changes to current rule language.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

LAW:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

1/30/2020 Vol. 46/20

COMMENTS:

From 1/30/2020 To 2/20/2020 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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