28333135, 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: 28333135

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

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this rule amendment is to modify rule language to allow for possession of a potential state record largemouth bass or a TrophyCatch qualifying largemouth bass that may exceed the length or bag limit until the fish has been documented or certified.

SUMMARY:

Staff are seeking to update rule language to allow possession of largemouth bass over applicable legal bag or length limits to facilitate submission to TrophyCatch or certification as a state record. Current statewide regulations for largemouth bass is a 5 fish bag limit and 1 may be over 16 inches.  A relatively small number of waterbodies across the state (17 waterbodies) have regulations for largemouth bass, such as catch and release or a strict maximum length limit, which would prohibit the possession of large, largemouth bass.  In order for an angler to certify a state record largemouth bass or submit a largemouth bass to the TrophyCatch Program, an angler may need to possess the fish to go through the respective processes. These rule changes will provide a clear pathway for anglers to submit a TrophyCatch largemouth bass or certification of a state record largemouth bass where regulations may prevent possession.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Art. IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution.

LAW:

Art. IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution.

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

5/7/2024 Vol. 50/90

COMMENTS:

From 5/7/2024 To 5/28/2024 (21 Days)

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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