68B-31.016. Tortugas Shrimp Beds: Repeal of Section 370.151(2), F.S. (1991); Redescription of Tortugas Shrimp Beds; Closed Areas

(1) For purposes of this rule and Section 379.246, F.S., Tortugas Shrimp Beds are described as follows: Begin at a point located at 25°52.904'N, 81°37.933'W (Coon Key Light in Collier County); thence proceed on a straight line to a point which is located at 24°50.700'N, 81°51.300'W; thence proceed on a straight line to a point located at 24°39.996'N, 82°26.650'W (New Grounds Shoals Light); thence proceed on a straight line to a point located at 24°34.727'N, 82°35.445'W (Rebecca Shoal Lighted Buoy 4); thence proceed on a straight line due east to a point located at 24°35.100'N, 82°13.200'W; thence proceed along the Florida waters boundary to a point located at 24°27.200'N, 81°58.900'W; thence proceed due east to a point located at 24°27.349'N, 81°52.638'W (Sand Key Light); thence proceed northerly to a point located at 24°32.655'N, 81°48.309'W (Whitehead Spit); thence along the south and east meandered shoreline of the Florida Keys and the connecting viaducts between said Keys to a point located at 25°01.120ꞌꞌN, 80°30.000'W; thence north until a point on the mainland at 25°12.090ꞌꞌN, 80°30.000'W; thence proceed west and north along the coast of the mainland of Florida until a point located due north of Coon Key Light in Collier County at 25°56.521'N, 81°37.933'W; thence due south to a point located at 25°52.904'N, 81°37.933'W (Coon Key Light), the point of beginning.

(2) No person shall operate as a food shrimp producer within the area known as the Tortugas Shrimp Beds, except as may be specifically authorized by federal regulations for the portion of the area lying in federal Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) waters. Within state waters of the Tortugas Shrimp Beds, possession aboard a vessel of more than 5 gallons of dead shrimp, heads on or off, simultaneously with the deployment of any shrimp trawl from the vessel shall constitute a violation of this subsection.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., Chapter 83-134, Laws of Fla., as amended by Chapter 84-121, Laws of Fla. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., Chapter 83-134, Laws of Fla., as amended by Chapter 84-121, Laws of Fla. History–New 1-1-92, Amended 3-1-95, 7-15-96, Formerly 46-31.016, Amended 4-13-17, 5-31-21.