68A-20.005: Specific Fish Management Area Regulations
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule changes is to alter the bag limit for black bass in Orange and Lochloosa Lakes Fish Management Areas (Alachua County) from three fish per day outside of the protective slot limit of 15 to 24 inches in total length (all fish between 15 and 24 inches must be released) to three fish per day, only one of which may be over 24 inches in total length and the protective slot limit would remain unchanged. The effect would be to enable the agency to better manage fisheries resources.
SUMMARY: The proposed rule would change the present black bass daily bag limit of three fish outside of the protective slot limit (bass between 15 and 24 inches in total length must be immediately released unharmed) to three bass outside the slot with only one fish exceeding 24 inches in total length. The slot would remain unaltered.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: The agency has determined that this rule will ___ or will not __x__ have an impact on small business. A SERC has ___ or has not __x__ been prepared by the agency.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.
IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN FAW.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Tom Champeau, Director, Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600
THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:
68A-20.005 Specific Fish Management Area Regulations.
(1) No change.
(2) North Central Region:
(a) No change.
(b) Lakes Lochloosa, Orange and Newnans, Alachua County:
1. through 2. No change.
3. Orange Lake, including waters lakeward (south and east) of County Road 346 and in waters west of U.S. Highway 301:
No person shall kill or possess any black bass that is 15 inches or more in total length and less than 24 inches in total length and no person shall take in any one day more than three (3) black bass of which only one (1) may be 24 inches in total length or larger.
4. Lochloosa Lake, including Tadpole Creek, Lochloosa Creek, and Cross Creek:
No person shall kill or possess any black bass that is 15 inches or more in total length and less than 24 inches in total length and no person shall take in any one day more than three (3) black bass of which only one (1) may be 24 inches in total length or larger.
(c) through (s) No change.
(3) through (5) No change.
Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 8-1-79, Amended 2-19-80, 5-19-80, 6-4-81, 9-28-81, 6-21-82, 7-1-83, 11-17-83, 7-1-84, 7-1-85, Formerly 39-20.05, Amended 2-27-86, 6-1-86, 5-10-87, 4-13-88, 7-1-89, 7-1-90, 4-11-91, 7-1-91, 7-2-92, 8-23-92, 4-20-93, 7-1-94, 8-15-95, 10-23-95, 4-1-96, 2-16-97, 6-1-97, 6-29-97, 1-1-98, 7-1-98, 11-2-98, Formerly 39-20.005, Amended 4-30-00, 7-1-00, 10-10-00, 4-1-01, 7-1-01, 10-9-01, 7-1-02, 1-1-03, 7-1-03, 1-1-04, 7-1-04, 7-17-05, 7-1-06, 4-1-07, 7-1-08, 7-1-10,_________.
BE ADVISED THAT THESE PROPOSED RULES MAY BE FILED FOR ADOPTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOLLOWING THE COMMISSION MEETING AT WHICH THEY ARE CONSIDERED IF THE RULES ARE NOT CHANGED. IF CHANGED, THE RULES MAY BE FILED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER PUBLICATION OF A NOTICE OF CHANGE IN THE F.A.W.