Published on: 17723469. The purpose of this rule development is to modify the boundary of the area defined in rule as Boca Grande Pass in order to reflect changes made by the United States Coast Guard (USCG) to the navigation buoys marking Boca Grande Channel.
In February 2016, the USCG completed a channel marker redesign project for Boca Grande Channel to ensure that the marked channel better aligned with the current location and configuration of the natural channel. As part of this project, the USCG removed the #12 red buoy marking the entrance to the Boca Grande Channel, and replaced it with a new buoy (Charlotte Harbor Channel LB 6) located 0.21 miles (approximately 1,096 feet) to the east-southeast (see attached map). Because the #12 red buoy was used as a reference point in the Commission’s rule that defines the boundary of Boca Grande Pass for purposes of implementing specific fishing gear restrictions that apply within this area, the rule needs to be amended.
The effect of this change would be to amend 68B-4.018, F.A.C. (Boca Grande Pass Gear Restrictions), to modify the boundary of Boca Grande Pass by deleting the reference to the #12 red buoy that has been removed and incorporate the location of the new buoy, Charlotte Harbor Channel LB 6, as the western boundary point. This proposed change will ensure that the boundary of the area where the Boca Grande Gear Restrictions apply aligns with the current configuration of the navigation buoys marking Boca Grande Channel. This change reduces the size of the area where the Boca Grande Pass Gear Restrictions apply by a total of 0.12 square miles.
Published on: 17653629. The purpose and effect of this rule development notice is to address possible rule amendments for gear restrictions in Boca Grande Pass in the 2016 calendar year as a result of 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: 13339845. The purpose of this rule amendment is to prohibit the use in Boca Grande Pass of any fishing gear in which a weight directly attached to any hook, artificial fly, or lure hangs lower than the hook when the line or leader is suspended vertically from the fishing rod. Such gear possessed onboard a fishing vessel must be stowed in such a manner that its immediate use as a fishing implement is impracticable while within the boundaries of Boca Grande Pass.
The effect of these rule amendments will be a prohibition on the use of bottom-weighted hooks while fishing within the boundaries of Boca Grande Pass. This prohibition will apply for all species on a year-round basis. In addition, such gear possessed onboard a vessel operating within the boundaries of the Pass must be stowed in such a manner that its immediate use as a fishing implement is impracticable.
Published on: 13326847. The purpose of this rule development is to prohibit the use of certain fishing gears within the boundaries of Boca Grande Pass that are considered likely to increase the chances of tarpon or other species being snagged or snatch hooked. The effect will be to limit the types of gears fishers can use or have on their vessel in readily fishable condition when fishing in Boca Grande Pass.
Published on: 9470806. Norman S. Cancellara, Sr.
; Petitioner seeks a declaration regarding the applicability of Rules 68B-32.004 and 68B-4.018, F.A.C., to his proposed method of fishing for tarpon within in the Boca Grande Pass.