25864388, 68B-19.002 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 25864388

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Marine Fisheries

Chapter:

COBIA

Overview

RULE:

68B-19.002	Definitions
68B-19.003	Size Limit; Landed in Whole Condition Requirement
68B-19.004	Bag and Vessel Limits

PURPOSE:

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is modifying cobia recreational and commercial size, bag, and vessel limits based on the results of a recent stock assessment and stakeholder concerns about the status of the cobia fishery.  A recent stock assessment determined cobia is undergoing overfishing, and the Gulf of Mexico and South Atlantic Fishery Management councils recently took action to amend cobia regulations in federal waters to reduce harvest and improve stock abundance.
The purpose of these rule changes for cobia is to help end overfishing, improve stock abundance, and ensure future fishing opportunities.
The effect of the rule amendments is to increase the size limit from 33 to 36 inches fork length in all state waters, reduce commercial bag limit from 2 to 1 fish per harvester per day for Atlantic state waters, and reduce the commercial and recreational vessel limit from 6 to 2 fish per vessel per day for Atlantic state waters.

SUMMARY:

These rule amendments modify cobia size, bag, and vessel limits for commercial and recreational fishermen in state waters.  These amendments are consistent with pending regulations in adjacent federal waters.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

LAW:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

5/17/2022 Vol. 48/96

COMMENTS:

From 5/17/2022 To 6/7/2022 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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