25561554, 68B-31.003 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 25561554

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Marine Fisheries

Chapter:

SHRIMP

Overview

RULE:

68B-31.003	Size Requirement; Exceptions
68B-31.0035	Trawls: Allowed Use; Maximum Square Footage of Mesh Area; Definitions (Repealed)
68B-31.006	Allowable Gear and Harvest Methods; Prohibited Gear; Turtle Excluder Devices, Exceptions; Bycatch Reduction Devices
68B-31.007	Sale and Purchase Requirements
68B-31.008	Year-round Closed Areas
68B-31.009	Commercial License Requirements
68B-31.017	Big Bend Region Closed Areas; Seasonal Closures (Repealed)
68B-31.018	Northwest Region Closed Areas; Repealed Special Acts (Repealed)

PURPOSE:

The purpose of these rules is to increase recreational access, allow commercial food shrimp harvesters to produce the highest quality frozen shrimp, and clarify and update regulations.  

The effect of the rules would be to implement a recreational bag and vessel limit with cast nets and dip nets for shrimp harvested in the Big Bend closed area, allow the possession and use of high-salinity freezer tanks aboard commercial shrimp vessels for freezer processing, and clarify and update regulations.

SUMMARY:

These rules will implement a recreational bag and vessel limit for shrimp in the Big Bend closed area, which will create additional access to the shrimp fishery and is not expected to negatively impact the shrimp resource or seagrass habitat.  Additionally, these rules will allow the possession and use of high-salinity freezer tanks for commercial shrimp production, which will align FWC’s rules with industry standards for producing high quality frozen shrimp for the seafood market.  Lastly, these rules will clarify the boundary for the closed area in Santa Rosa Sound, correct the name of the “Live Bait Shrimp License” and update a definition referring to that license, and add a definition of “inland waters” which will clarify regulations while also being consistent with Florida Statutes.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

LAW:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

2/14/2022 Vol. 48/30

COMMENTS:

From 2/14/2022 To 3/7/2022 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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