27271373, 68B-5.007 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 27271373

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Marine Fisheries

Chapter:

MISCELLANEOUS

Overview

RULE:

68B-5.007

Skyway Fishing Pier State Park: Education Course Requirement; Gear Restrictions

PURPOSE:

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is proposing fishing regulations specific to Skyway Fishing Pier State Park (Skyway Pier).  Fishing gear entanglement of birds, primarily pelicans, has been occurring at Skyway Pier for many years.  Despite past non-regulatory action, rescue response coordination, and educational programs, hundreds of pelicans and other seabirds are entangled in fishing gear at Skyway Pier each year, resulting in their severe injury or death. Regulatory action is necessary to reduce severe entanglement at Skyway Pier. 
The purpose of this rule change is to reduce angler-seabird interactions and the incidence of severe fishing gear entanglement of seabirds, including brown pelicans, and further seabird conservation at Skyway Pier. 
The effect of this rule is to require people fishing on or from Skyway Pier to complete an annual education course and possess verification of course completion.  Additionally, anglers fishing on or from Skyway Pier would be limited to use of no more than two sets of hook and line gear at any time, and they would be prohibited from using hook and line gear with more than one hook attached as well as the use of any multiple hook from November 1 through March 31 each year.  Anglers would also be prohibited from using sabiki or flasher rigs on the terminal end of the South Skyway Pier.  The rule would also require FWC to review the Skyway Fishing Pier State Park fishing regulations prior to October 1, 2025, to determine whether the regulations are appropriate or if they should be repealed or expanded.

SUMMARY:

This rule would create an education requirement for people fishing at Skyway Pier, create a year-round limit on the number of hook and line gear than an individual could use, establish seasonal prohibitions on certain gear rigs and hooks, prohibit the use of specific rigs on a portion of the pier, and set a deadline for the Commission review of Skyway Pier fishing regulations.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

LAW:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

6/28/2023 Vol. 49/125

COMMENTS:

From 6/28/2023 To 7/19/2023 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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