Published on: 12989481. The purpose of this rule amendment is to standardize the format and rule language in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (Commission) Billfish rules. The Billfish Chapter (68B-33) has been reformatted to simplify the rule language and the swordfish portion of this chapter has been removed and relocated to chapter 68B-58, making the chapter easier to understand and improving the enforceability of the regulations. This rulemaking is part of a rule cleanup effort of Division 68B that will standardize chapters by using the same format for each rule that regulates species, making specific provisions easier to find. Additionally, rule language has been clarified and outdated language has been removed.
The effect of this amendment will be improved rule clarity and enforceability and simplified rule language, making the language easier to understand. This rule amendment will not affect the meaning of the rule nor change the intent of the rule.
Published on: 12430858. The purpose and effect of this rule development notice is to address possible rule amendments for billfish and swordfish in the 2013 calendar year as a result of stock assessments, federal regulatory actions or other management or enforcement requirements, or to address amendments resulting from the agency’s comprehensive review of Division 68B.
Published on: 11356486. The purpose of this rule amendment is to allow roundscale spearfish to be harvested under the state’s billfish possession limit by removing it from the prohibited list and creating a size limit. This rule amendment will also add roundscale spearfish to the possession limit exceptions for taxidermists, seafood businesses, and restaurants. Roundscale spearfish are remarkably similar in appearance to the white marlin, including size, shape, and color which led to a scientific debate over the fish being a separate species. In 2006, scientific research showed roundscale spearfish to be a separate species and was recognized by NOAA Fisheries Highly Migratory Species Division (HMS) as a “new” billfish species. Prior to this research, roundscale spearfish was essentially being regulated the same as white marlin in federal waters due to their similar appearance. In light of these findings, HMS passed a rule that began January 1, 2011 recognizing the roundscale spearfish as a separate species, but continued to manage them the same as white marlin. To have compatible rules between Florida waters and adjacent federal waters, FWC rules should be modified to allow the harvest of roundscale spearfish, regulating them the same as white marlin. Allowing them to be harvested under the same bag and size limits as the white marlin will remove the identification issue and help fisheries managers better estimate both white marlin and roundscale spearfish populations because roundscale spearfish will not be incorrectly counted as white marlin and will be counted as roundscale spearfish.
Published on: 10826187. The purpose and effect of this rule development notice is to address possible rule amendments for billfish and swordfish in the 2012 calendar year as a result of stock assessments, federal regulatory actions or other management or enforcement requirements.
Published on: 9508539. The purpose and effect of this rule development notice is to address possible rule changes for billfish and swordfish in the 2011 calendar year as a result of stock assessments, federal regulatory actions or other management or enforcement requirements.
Published on: 8858154. The purpose of these rule amendments is to modify the Commission's Billfish and Swordfish Rule to become consistent with federal swordfish regulations in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. NOAA Fisheries Service Highly Migratory Species Division developed regulatory actions for swordfish that became effective in 2007. The most recent stock assessment for swordfish was completed by the International Commission for the Conservation of the Atlantic Tunas in 2009. Based on this assessment, the Atlantic Swordfish stock is not overfished and is not experiencing overfishing. Additionally, the North Atlantic swordfish population is now fully rebuilt and biomass estimates are currently 5% above the target level. The effect of these rule amendments is to become consistent with federal rules to reduce confusion, aid compliance, and ease enforcement. SUMMARY: Rule 68B-33.0034, F.A.C., (Swordfish: Recreational Bag and Possession Limits) would amend the Commission’s Billfish and Swordfish Rule governing the recreational vessel limits such that they are consistent with the recreational swordfish vessel limits in federally managed waters of the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean as instituted by the National Marine Fisheries Service. The proposed Commission rule would change the recreational non-for-hire vessel maximum limit from three to four swordfish per vessel and would create a new vessel maximum limit for for-hire vessels of no more than the daily bag limit of swordfish multiplied by the number of customers fishing aboard, or 15 swordfish, whichever is less, additionally, the bag-limit would not be extended to captain and crew of for-hire vessels. 68B-33.004, F.A.C., (Size Limits) would be amended by removing the weight criteria for possession, leaving the lower jaw fork length, and the cleithrum to keel length as the only possession criteria for swordfish.
Published on: 8228236. The purpose and effect of this rule development notice is to address possible rule changes in the 2010 calendar year for billfish and swordfish as a result of stock assessments, federal regulatory actions or other management and enforcement requirements.