28091120, 68B-14.0038 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 28091120

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Marine Fisheries

Chapter:

REEF FISH

Overview

RULE:

68B-14.0038	Recreational Snapper Seasons
68B-14.0039	Recreational Grouper and Tilefish Seasons
68B-14.0042	Recreational Hogfish Season

PURPOSE:

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is clarifying possession restrictions within the closed fishing season for Atlantic blueline tilefish, Atlantic hogfish, and Gulf red snapper.  Presently, only harvest is prohibited during the closed season for these three species in state waters, resulting in state regulations being inconsistent with federal regulations.  Additionally, with the exception of these species, all other reef fish species in rule 68B-14 with a closed fishing season prohibit both the harvest and possession of that species during its closed season.
The purpose of these rule changes is to improve compliance and aid in enforcement by providing consistency between state and federal regulations.
The effect of the rule amendments would prohibit recreational harvesters from possessing blueline tilefish and hogfish in Atlantic state waters and red snapper in Gulf state waters during the species respective closed seasons.

SUMMARY:

These rule amendments modify rule language to include prohibiting possession during the recreational closed fishing season for blueline tilefish and hogfish in Atlantic state waters and for red snapper in Gulf state waters.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.

LAW:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

2/27/2024 Vol. 50/40

COMMENTS:

From 2/27/2024 To 3/19/2024 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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