Published on: 22317777. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Commission) is considering changes to state shark regulations based on a requirement by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and recent federal changes. The purpose of these rule amendments is to increase the recreational shortfin mako size limit from 54 to 83 inches fork length and clarify that commercial harvest is prohibited in state waters.
ASMFC recently adopted a requirement for states, including Florida, to increase recreational minimum size limits for shortfin mako sharks to match the federal size limit, or to implement an equivalent conservation measure, by Jan. 1, 2020. To meet ASMFC’s requirement, this rule amendment would increase the shortfin mako recreational minimum size limit from 54 to 83 inches FL. To commercially harvest sharks in state waters, all commercial vessels must have a federal shark limited-access permit and the only allowable gear type is hook and line. Under federal regulations, commercial harvest of shortfin mako is only allowed when the shark is brought to the boat dead in the longline or gillnet fishery. Because those gear are prohibited in state waters, and because all commercial vessels must have the federal limited-access permit, no commercial harvest of shortfin mako is allowed in Florida state waters. Therefore, this rule amendment would clarify that commercial harvest of shortfin mako is prohibited in Florida state waters. Additionally, this rule amendment will also include minor, non-substantive technical changes to current rule language.
Published on: 21442837. The purpose of these rule amendments is to provide further conservation of sharks, address stakeholder concerns related to the shore-based shark fishery, clarify current shark regulations through cleanup of the Sharks and Rays rule chapter, and support recent legislative shark finning penalties updates by modifying the regulations found in 68B-44, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.).
The effect of these rules will be to establish a mandatory no-cost, annual shore-based shark fishing (SBSF) permit; prohibit chumming when fishing from beaches; require immediate release of prohibited shark species (when fishing from shore); require prohibited shark species remain in the water (when fishing from shore and vessels); require the possession/use of appropriate cutters (when fishing from shore and vessels); and require the use of non-offset, non-stainless steel circle hooks (when fishing from shore and vessels). These rules will also provide additional clarification for the Commission’s current shark regulations and update rule language related to recent legislative shark finning penalty changes.
Published on: 21257858. The purpose and effect of this rule development notice is to address possible rule amendments for sharks and rays in the 2019 calendar year as a result of stock assessments, federal regulatory actions or other management or enforcement requirements; to address rule changes related to the shore-based shark fishery; or to address amendments resulting from the agency’s comprehensive review of Division 68B.
Published on: 20078338. The purpose and effect of this rule development notice is to address possible rule amendments for sharks and rays in the 2018 calendar year resulting from 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: 18449223. The purpose and effect of this rule development notice is to address possible rule amendments for sharks and rays in the 2017 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: 15510996. The purpose and effect of this rule development notice is to address possible rule amendments for sharks and rays in the 2015 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: 14012928. The purpose and effect of this rule development notice is to address possible rule amendments for sharks and rays in the 2014 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.