The purpose of this rule development is to make a technical change that will conform an Apalachicola Bay harvest rule to a rule amendment adopted last year that shifted the oyster harvesting season in Apalachicola Bay by one month.

RULE NO: RULE TITLE
68B-27.017: Apalachicola Bay Oyster Harvesting Restrictions
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this rule development is to make a technical change that will conform an Apalachicola Bay harvest rule to a rule amendment adopted last year that shifted the oyster harvesting season in Apalachicola Bay by one month.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Oyster harvesting season in Apalachicola Bay.
SPECIFIC AUTHORITY: Art. IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: Art. IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution.
IF REQUESTED IN WRITING AND NOT DEEMED UNNECESSARY BY THE AGENCY HEAD, A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE NOTICED IN THE NEXT AVAILABLE FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE WEEKLY.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 5 calendar days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: ADA Coordinator, [phone]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency by calling [phone].

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: James V. Antista, General Counsel, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600, [phone]
THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS:

68B-27.017 Apalachicola Bay Oyster Harvesting Restrictions.

In addition to all other provisions of this chapter, the following provisions shall apply to Apalachicola Bay:

(1) No change.

(2)(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) and when Apalachicola Bay is not closed for public health purposes, oysters may be harvested in the bay for commercial purposes any day of the week during the period beginning on November 16 each year and continuing through May 31 June 30 of the following year.

(b) No change.

(3) No change.

Specific Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 3-10-91, Amended 11-29-93, Formerly 46-27.017, Amended 6-1-99, 9-1-05, ________.