17036127, 68A-23.005 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 17036127

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

Chapter:

RULES RELATING TO FRESHWATER FISH

Overview

RULE:

68A-23.005	Bag Limits, Length Limits, Open Season: Freshwater Fish
68A-23.0131	Special Regulations for Waters Bordering Georgia and Alabama: Lake Seminole, the St. Mary's River, Lake Jackson (Walton County) and Perdido River

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this rule amendment is to simplify black bass regulations statewide by reducing the number of water bodies with special regulations.  Additionally, this amendment clarifies regulations on water bodies that are shared with Georgia and Alabama. The effect of this amendment will be to reduce the number of water bodies with special regulations regarding the harvest of black bass while still continuing to provide a sustainable fishery.

SUMMARY:

Chapter 68A-23 would be amended to include the recommendations that were made in the Black Bass Management Plan and presented to the Commission in June 2015. The amendment proposes to eliminate the three statewide management zones, reduce the number of specialized regulations from 58 to 16, and shift harvest from quality-size bass to more abundant smaller sizes to improve bass populations and enhancing angler satisfaction. The amendment would also establish a conservation zone for Shoal Bass in a section of the Chipola River and clarify regulations on border waters shared with Alabama and Georgia: the Perdido River, Lake Jackson – Walton County, Lake Seminole, and St. Mary’s River.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Art. IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution

LAW:

Art. IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

1/15/2016 Vol. 42/10

COMMENTS:

From 1/15/2016 To 2/5/2016 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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