30805568, 68A-27.0021 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 30805568

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

Chapter:

RULES RELATING TO ENDANGERED OR THREATENED SPECIES

Overview

RULE:

68A-27.0021

Designation of Candidate Species; Prohibitions; Permits

PURPOSE:

The proposed amendments will (1)  designate and declare the Wilson’s plover, (Anarhynchus wilsonia) and blackbanded sunfish (Enneacanthus chaetodon) as candidate species which will prohibit intentional take of these species recognized as candidate species for listing except as authorized by specific permit from the Executive Director while the species continue through the formal listing process as outlined in Rule 68A-27.0021, F.A.C., Procedures for Listing and Removing Species from Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species List.

SUMMARY:

The proposed amendment is an intermediate step in the state listing process for the Wilson’s plover and blackbanded sunfish. In 2022 and 2023, the FWC received requests to evaluate the blackbanded sunfish and Wilson’s plover, respectively, for listing as State-designated Threatened and the Commission approved Biological Review Groups to evaluate the status of each species. Based on these evaluations, staff made a listing status recommendation to the Commissioners during its February 2026 meeting. Commissioners agreed that both species warranted listing as State-designated Threatened and approved incorporating the Wilson’s plover and blackbanded sunfish into Rule 68A-27.0021, F.A.C. as candidate species. This proposed rule is the outcome of that listing recommendation and will allow staff to continue with the listing process. Once added to the list of candidate species, staff will draft Management Plans and Species Conservation Measures and Permitting Guidelines. Staff will return to the Commissioners for Management Plan and Guidelines approval to complete the listing process and add the Wilson’s plover and blackbanded sunfish to the Florida Endangered and Threatened Species List.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Art. IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution

LAW:

Art. IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

4/21/2026 Vol. 52/77

COMMENTS:

From 4/21/2026 To 5/12/2026 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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