Notice of Development of Rulemaking

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Marine Fisheries
RULE NO: RULE TITLE
68B-21.0015: Definitions
68B-21.003: Prohibition of Sale of Snook
68B-21.004: Seasons
68B-21.005: Size Limits
68B-21.006: Bag and Possession Limits. -
68B-21.007: Restrictions on Gear and Methods Used to Take Snook
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The primary purpose of these rule amendments is to protect the snook resources in Florida by modifying the allowable months for harvesting snook on the Gulf coast, modifying the existing size limit for snook on both the Gulf and Atlantic coast, decreasing the bag limit to one snook per day on the Atlantic coast, and allowing the possession of stowed multiple cast nets on board a vessel from which snook fishing is occurring. The effect is to maintain a high quality fishery for snook and try to achieve the Commission’s management goal of 40% spawning potential ratio (SPR). Additional secondary purposes are to revise definitions and update a reference to the rule governing snook aquaculture Special Activities Licenses.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Snook.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: Art. IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: Art. IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution.
IF REQUESTED IN WRITING AND NOT DEEMED UNNECESSARY BY THE AGENCY HEAD, A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE NOTICED IN THE NEXT AVAILABLE FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE WEEKLY.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 5 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: The ADA Coordinator at (850)488-6411. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: James V. Antista, General Counsel, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600, (850)487-1764

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS NOT AVAILABLE.