6583310, 68B-24.009 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 6583310

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Marine Fisheries

Chapter:

SPINY LOBSTER (CRAWFISH) AND SLIPPER LOBSTER

Overview

RULE:

68B-24.009

Trap Reduction Schedule

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this rule amendment is to modify the Commission’s Spiny Lobster Rule regarding the reduction in the number of lobster trap certificates. The lobster trap certificate reduction was initiated to reduce overcapitalization in the commercial spiny lobster fishery and to address concerns about excessive mortality of undersized lobsters, declining yield per trap, and public concerns over debris pollution from existing traps. The reduction process has been under moratorium since 2003. The effect of this rule amendment will be to end the moratorium and implement a trap certificate reduction schedule whereby upon the sale or transfer of certificates outside the immediate family of the certificate holder, the number of certificates received by the purchaser shall be reduced by 10 percent. Once the number of lobster trap certificates is reduced to 400,000, there shall be no further reduction in the number of lobster trap certificates issued each year thorough this mechanism. Reducing the number of traps will maintain fishing effort in the spiny lobster fishery at a level to maintain the fishery’s yield while maximizing economic efficiency, reducing ecological impacts, and preserving the general aesthetics of the coastal environment.

SUMMARY:

Rule 68B-24.009, F.A.C., Trap Reduction Schedule, would be amended to end the current moratorium on the reduction of lobster trap certificates and implement a trap certificate reduction schedule whereby upon the sale or transfer of certificates outside the immediate family of the certificate holder, the number of certificates received by the purchaser shall be reduced by 10 percent.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.

LAW:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

12/31/2008 Vol. 34/53

COMMENTS:

From 12/31/2008 To 1/21/2009 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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