30105616, 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: 30105616

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
68B-14.0036	Recreational Bag Limits: Snapper, Grouper, Hogfish, Black Sea Bass, Red Porgy, Amberjacks, Tilefish, Exception, Wholesale/Retail Purchase Exemption

PURPOSE:

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is modifying lane snapper recreational and commercial minimum size limits and establishing a bag limit in Gulf state waters based on Gulf lane snapper being subject to overfishing, due to harvest exceeding overfishing limits in five of the last six years. To prevent overfishing, the Gulf Council recently took action to amend lane snapper recreational and commercial regulations in Gulf federal waters.    
The purpose of these rule amendments is to increase consistency with federal regulations that would modify lane snapper recreational and commercial regulations and establish recreational regulations in Gulf state waters to help prevent overfishing and reduce the risk of early-season closures. 
The effect of the rule amendments for lane snapper is to increase the recreational and commercial minimum size limit from 8 to 10 inches total length and to establish a recreational bag limit of 20 lane snapper per person in Gulf state waters.

SUMMARY:

These rule amendments modify lane snapper commercial and recreational harvest in Gulf state waters.  This amendment is consistent with pending and current regulations in adjacent federal waters.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

LAW:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

10/15/2025 Vol. 51/201

COMMENTS:

From 10/15/2025 To 11/5/2025 (21 Days)

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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