Proposed amendments for Rules 68B-14.0035, 68B-14.00355, and 68B-14.0045, F.A.C., have not been changed and will be adopted as proposed. Proposed amendment of Rule 68B-14.0038, F.A.C., is being withdrawn by separate notice in this issue of the F.A.W. Proposed amendments for Rules 68B-14.0036 and 68B-14.005, F.A.C., have been changed and will now read as follows:
68B-14.0036 Recreational Bag Limits: Snapper, Grouper, Hogfish, Black Sea Bass, Red Porgy, Amberjacks, Tilefish, Exception, Wholesale/Retail Purchase Exemption.
(1) Snapper.
(a) through (b) No change.
(c) Red snapper. Except as provided elsewhere in this rule, no recreational harvester shall harvest in or from state waters of the Atlantic Ocean, nor possess while in or on state waters of the Atlantic Ocean, more than 2 red snapper per day, nor shall a recreational harvester harvest in or from state waters of the Gulf of Mexico, nor possess while in or on state waters of the Gulf of Mexico, more than 2 4 red snapper per day. On any vessel licensed to carry customers wherein a fee is paid, either directly or indirectly, for the purpose of taking or attempting to take marine fish in the Gulf of Mexico, the applicable bag and possession limit specified in this rule shall not extend to the operator of such vessel or any person employed as a crewman of such vessel. Such bag and possession limit shall be counted for purposes of the aggregate snapper bag and possession limit prescribed in paragraph (a).
(d) through (f) No change.
(2) through (9) No change.
PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: April 1, 2008.
Specific Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9,
68B-14.005 Regulation and Prohibition of Certain Harvesting Gear: Allowable Gear, Incidental Bycatch, Violation.
(1) through (2) No change.
(3) Required gear in the Gulf reef fish fishery. Beginning June 1, 2008, for a person on board a vessel harvesting any of the species listed in subsection 68B-14.001(2), F.A.C., the vessel must possess on board and such person must use the gear specified in subsections 1., 2., and 3.
1. Non-stainless steel circle hooks. Non-stainless steel circle hooks are required to be used on hook and line gear when fishing with natural baits. “Circle hook” means a fishing hook designed and manufactured so that the point is not offset and is turned perpendicularly back to the shank to form a generall circular or oval shape.
2. Dehooking devices. At least one dehooking device is required and must be used to remove hooks embedded in Gulf reef fish with minimum damage. The dehooking device must be constructed to allow the hook to be secured and the barb shielded without re-engaging during the removal process. The dehooking device must be blunt, and all edges rounded. The device must be of a size appropriate to secure the range of hook sizes and styles used in the Gulf reef fish fishery.
3. Venting tool. At least one venting tool is required and must be used to deflate the swimbladders of Gulf reef fish to release the fish with minimum damage. This tool must be a sharpened, hollow instrument, such as a hypodermic syringe with the plunger removed, or a 16-gauge needle fixed to a hollow wooden dowel. A tool such as a knife or an ice-pick may not be used. The venting tool must be inserted into the fish at a 45-degree angle approximately 1 to 2 inches (2.54 to 5.08 centimeters) from the base of the pectoral fin. The tool must be inserted just deep enough to release the gases, so that the fish may be released with minimum damage.
(4)(3) Violation. Possession of any of the species specified in subsection 68B-14.001(2), F.A.C., beyond the bycatch allowance in paragraph (2)(a), aboard a vessel fishing in state waters, while also in possession of unauthorized gear, constitutes a violation of subsections (1) and (2).
PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: April 1, 2008.
Specific Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9,