6345078, 68B-14.0035 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 6345078

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Marine Fisheries

Chapter:

REEF FISH

Overview

RULE:

68B-14.0035

Size Limits: Amberjacks, Black Sea Bass, Gray Triggerfish, Grouper, Hogfish, Red Porgy, Snapper

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this rule amendment is to modify the Commission’s Reef Fish Rule to become consistent with federal reef fish regulations for Gulf of Mexico greater amberjack, which is overfished, and undergoing overfishing, and gray triggerfish, which is undergoing overfishing. The Gulf of Mexico Fishery Management Council developed regulatory actions for greater amberjack and gray triggerfish that became effective on August 4, 2008, which includes an increase in the recreational minimum size limit for greater amberjack from 28 inches fork length to 30 inches fork length, and the increase in the recreational and commercial minimum size limit for gray triggerfish from 12 inches fork length to 14 inches fork length.
The effect of this rule amendment is that federal and state regulations will be consistently applied in the Gulf of Mexico. Where practicable, this minimizes confusion with the public and aids enforceability. A further effect will be to remove inconsistency in state regulations regarding reef fish size limits as applied to commercial and recreational harvest.

SUMMARY:

Rule 68B-14.0035 F.A.C., (Size Limits: Amberjack, Black Sea Bass, Gray Triggerfish, Grouper, Hogfish, Red Porgy, Snapper.) would be amended to increase the recreational minimum size limit for greater amberjack to 30 inches fork length and increase the recreational and commercial minimum size limit for gray triggerfish to 14 inches fork length in the state waters of the Gulf of Mexico.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.

LAW:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

10/31/2008 Vol. 34/44

COMMENTS:

From 10/31/2008 To 11/21/2008 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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