29780278, 68B-7.002 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 29780278

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Marine Fisheries

Chapter:

Biscayne National Park

Overview

RULE:

68B-7.002	Definitions
68B-7.008	Spatial Gear and Harvest Limitations

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this rulemaking is to create spatial gear and fishing restrictions at a bonefish pre-spawning aggregation site within the boundaries of Biscayne National Park (BNP) to reduce post-release mortality of bonefish when they aggregate at this site. The effect of these changes would be to establish spatial gear and fishing restrictions within a 1.74-square-mile area inside BNP.

SUMMARY:

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) made bonefish a catch-and-release only fishery in 2011 to address a population decline in the 1990s caused by a combination of harvest and environmental impacts. Reduced bonefish mortality by prohibiting harvest has led to an observed increase in bonefish abundance. Recently, the Bonefish Tarpon & Trust (BTT) identified and began monitoring a re-formed bonefish pre-spawning aggregation site in BNP. From late fall through spring, bonefish form pre-spawning aggregations at this site, where they prepare to move into deep, offshore waters to spawn. 

Anglers could easily target bonefish at this site, and these aggregations attract predators. Researchers experienced a higher post-release mortality at this pre-spawning aggregation site compared to the inshore waters that bonefish typically inhabit. Thus, to reduce post-release mortality of bonefish at this pre-spawning aggregation site and to prevent disruption of spawning, staff are recommending establishing a Bonefish Seasonal Closed Area within BNP. The proposed rules would establish a 1.74-square-mile area where hook-and-line fishing and the simultaneous possession of fish and hook-and-line fishing gear would be prohibited from November 1 through May 31 each year. These rules would sunset five years after the first seasonal closure.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

LAW:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

7/16/2025 Vol. 51/137

COMMENTS:

From 7/16/2025 To 8/6/2025 (21 Days)

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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