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.
Published on: 10508318. The purpose of this rule amendment is to protect great, scalloped and smooth hammerhead sharks, and tiger sharks in state waters of Florida by prohibiting the commercial and recreational harvest of these species. Scalloped, smooth and great hammerhead sharks and tiger sharks have all experienced population declines of at least fifty percent. Research has demonstrated benefits to protecting shark populations in Florida state waters. Critical nursery habitat is often found in shallow state waters and much of Florida’s coastal waters have been identified as Essential Fish Habitat for many species of sharks; this means that the habitat in Florida waters is necessary for the sharks to carry out their life cycle. Further, pregnant sharks enter state waters to pup at known times of year and often in known locations. The effect of this rule would be to protect these four species of sharks by not allowing their harvest by commercial or recreational anglers.