10510161, 68B-37.002 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 10510161

Notice of Proposed Rule

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Marine Fisheries

Chapter:

SPOTTED SEATROUT

Overview

RULE:

68B-37.002	Definitions
68B-37.003	Size Limits for Recreational and Commercial Harvest; Whole Condition Requirement
68B-37.004	Regional Recreational Bag Limits; Bag Limit for Captain and Crew on For-hire Trips; Commercial Bag, Vessel, and Landing Limits
68B-37.005	Seasons
68B-37.006	Allowed and Prohibited Gear and Method of Harvest; Restriction on Simultaneous Possession of Spotted Seatrout and Certain Types of Gear

PURPOSE:

The purpose and effect of the proposed rules is to allow for greater fishing opportunity for recreational and commercial fishers in Florida, where the spotted seatrout population stocks are exceeding the Commission’s management goal. The proposed rules would eliminate the current recreational closed months and would also extend the commercial season in each region from three to five months. The proposed rules would allow spotted seatrout inventory to be sold year-round and require spotted seatrout to be landed and have first point of sale in an open region. Additionally, the proposed rules would create a vessel limit of 150 spotted seatrout if two commercial licensees are aboard. It would separate the south region into two regions, the southeast and southwest, and would clarify that all spotted seatrout rules apply to state and federal waters.

SUMMARY:

Rule 68B-37.002, F.A.C., (Definitions) would be amended by striking the definition of “South” and adding definitions for “Southeast” and “Southwest.” Rule 68B-37.003 (Size Limits) would be amended to clarify that the size limits extend into federal waters. Rule 68B-37.004, F.A.C., (Regional Bag Limits; Closed Seasons) would be amended to remove the regional season closures. Rule 68B-37.005, F.A.C., (Commercial Season; Daily Harvest Limit) would be amended to change the commercial seasons (June through October for the southwest and northeast, May through September for the southeast, and September through January for the northwest). It would also be amended to add a vessel limit of 150 seatrout if two commercial licensees are aboard and to allow for year-round sale of spotted seatrout. Rule 68B-37.006, F.A.C., (Gear Specifications and Prohibited Gear; Bycatch Allowance) would be amended to clarify that the gear specifications extend into federal waters.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.

LAW:

Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

10/14/2011 Vol. 37/41

COMMENTS:

From 10/14/2011 To 11/4/2011 (21 Days)
The public comment period for this notice has already expired.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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