15006693, 68B-27.018 - Florida Administrative Rules, Law, Code, Register

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Florida Department of State and Division of Library and Information Services

Notice: 15006693

Notice of Development of Rulemaking

Department:

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Division:

Marine Fisheries

Chapter:

OYSTERS

Overview

RULE:

68B-27.018

Statewide Harvesting Restrictions

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this rule development is to require commercial oyster harvesters to complete an annual training course outlining proper harvest, handling, and transportation practices for oysters and obtain a no-cost Shellfish Harvest endorsement in association with their Saltwater Products License (SPL) before harvesting or possessing oysters for commercial purposes or selling oysters.  The Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference (ISSC) provides state shellfish programs with sanitation guidelines for the harvest, processing, and shipping of shellfish.  States are subsequently reviewed by the US Food and Drug Administration to determine if the state’s programs and regulations are consistent with these guidelines.  The ISSC recently mandated that states develop and implement a training program outlining proper harvest, handling, and transportation practices for commercial shellfish harvesters.  This training is required to be completed prior to the issuance or renewal of a commercial license.  In order to implement this recommendation, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has developed training courses in proper oyster and hard clam harvest and post-harvest practices that will be offered each year to harvesters of these species.  SPL applicants who demonstrate completion of the appropriate course will qualify to receive or renew the Shellfish Harvest endorsement.  

The effect of this rule will be to establish the Shellfish Harvest endorsement in order to comply with the recent Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference (ISSC) mandate requiring states to develop and implement a training program outlining proper harvest, handling, and transportation practices for commercial shellfish harvesters.

SUBJECT:

Subject areas to be addressed in the rule development notice include statewide harvesting requirements and other subjects encompassed by the above-cited possible rules.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY:

Art. IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution

LAW:

Art. IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution

PRINT PUBLISH DATE:

9/3/2014 Vol. 40/171

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-27.018&PDate=9/3/2014&Section=1

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

No reference(s).

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