26733508, 68B-14.002 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 26733508

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Marine Fisheries

Chapter:

REEF FISH

Overview

RULE:

68B-14.002	Definitions
68B-14.005	Regulation and Prohibition of Certain Harvesting Gear: Allowable Gear, Incidental Bycatch, Violation

PURPOSE:

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is modifying gear requirements for those fishing for reef fish from a vessel. Specifically, this rule would require the possession of a descending device or venting tool on board a vessel when harvesting or attempting to harvest (including catch and release) reef fish, and to require the use of such device/tool if releasing a reef fish that suffers from barotrauma. Release mortality is a top fisheries management challenge, and tools such as descending devices or venting tools can help fish recover from the effects of barotrauma, a pressure-related injury. To reduce release mortality, similar gear requirements have been adopted in adjacent federal waters.
The purpose of these rule changes is to help improve survival of released reef fish, promote best fishing practices, and increase compliance with existing regulations in federal waters.
The effect of the rule amendments is to require the possession and appropriate use of descending devices or venting tools when fishing for reef fish from a vessel in Florida state waters.
The purpose of these rule changes is to help improve survival of released reef fish, promote best fishing practices, and increase compliance with existing regulations in federal waters. 
The effect of the rule amendments is to require the possession and appropriate use of descending devices or venting tools when fishing for reef fish from a vessel in Florida state waters.

SUMMARY:

These rule amendments modify gear requirements for commercial and recreational fishermen fishing for reef fish in state waters. Similar gear regulations when fishing for reef fish exist in adjacent Gulf and South Atlantic federal waters.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

LAW:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

1/20/2023 Vol. 49/13

COMMENTS:

From 1/20/2023 To 2/10/2023 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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