23841065, 68B-6.004 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 23841065

Notice of Development of Rulemaking

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Marine Fisheries

Chapter:

FLORIDA KEYS NATIONAL MARINE SANCTUARY

Overview

RULE:

68B-6.004

Western Dry Rocks Seasonal Closure

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this rule development notice is to address a rule amendment for state waters within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary related to fishing regulations at Western Dry Rocks.   The Commission is considering establishing a seasonal closed area to protect multi-species fish spawning aggregations thereby sustaining and potentially enhancing fishery populations.  Western Dry Rocks is a spawning aggregation site for many recreationally and commercially important fish species, including permit, mutton snapper, yellowtail snapper, and gray snapper.  The effect of the rule amendment would be to seasonally prohibit fishing within a one-square-mile area at Western Dry Rocks, resulting in reduced fishing pressure on fish when they are aggregated for spawning at the site.

SUBJECT:

Subject areas to be addressed in the rule development notice include a seasonal area restriction on fishing and possession of fish at Western Dry Rocks, as well as a transit provision for vessels possessing fish, invertebrates, and marine plants.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Art. IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution

LAW:

Art. IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

11/4/2020 Vol. 46/216

RELATED STATUTES
AND LAWS:

Art. IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution, Art. IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution

OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE:

Joint Administrative Procedures Committee
Florida Administrative Law Central Online Network (F.A.L.C.O.N.)

RELATED COURT CASES:

Division of Administrative Hearings

FEDERAL eRULEMAKING
WEB PORTAL:

Regulations.gov

HOW TO LINK TO
THIS NOTICE:

http://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleno.asp?id=68B-6.004&PDate=11/4/2020&Section=1

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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