The purpose of this rule amendment is to provide references in 68B-14 to minimum size limits that will apply when harvesting several reef fish species within Biscayne National Park (BNP). The effect of this rule amendment will be to references ...

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Marine Fisheries

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

68B-14.0035Size Limits: Amberjacks, Black Sea Bass, Gray Triggerfish, Grouper, Hogfish, Red Porgy, Snapper

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this rule amendment is to provide references in 68B-14 to minimum size limits that will apply when harvesting several reef fish species within Biscayne National Park (BNP).

The effect of this rule amendment will be to references new size limits established in a newly created Biscayne National Park chapter [68B-7, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.)].

SUMMARY: This rule amendment will incorporate references in 68B-14 to minimum size limits that will apply when harvesting specific reef fish species within BNP.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: the nature of the rule and the preliminary analysis conducted to determine whether a SERC was required.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

LAW IMPLEMENTED: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: During the Commission’s regular meeting February 19-20, 2020, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. each day

PLACE: Donald L. Tucker Civic Center, 505 W. Pensacola Street, Tallahassee, FL 32301

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 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: the ADA Coordinator, at [phone].. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Jessica McCawley, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries Management, 620 S. Meridian St., Tallahassee, Florida 32399, and [phone].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

68B-14.0035 Size Limits: Amberjacks, Black Sea Bass, Gray Triggerfish, Grouper, Hogfish, Red Porgy, Snapper.

No person shall land, possess, unnecessarily destroy, purchase, exchange, sell or offer for sale any of the following species harvested in or from state waters, of a length less than set forth as follows:

(1) through (2) No change.

(3) Gray triggerfish.

(a) Except as provided in rule 68B-7.003, F.A.C., for harvest from Biscayne National Park, Gray triggerfish harvested in the Atlantic Ocean 12 inches fork length.

(b) No change.

(4) Grouper (measured in terms of total length), except as provided in rule 68B-7.003, F.A.C., for harvest from Biscayne National Park.

(a) through (f) No change.

(5) through (6) No change.

(7) Snapper (measured in terms of total length), except as provided in 68B-7.003, F.A.C., for harvest from Biscayne National Park.

(a) through (l) No change.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 12-31-98, Amended 3-1-99, Formerly 46-14.0035, Amended 1-1-00, 1-1-01, 1-1-01, 1-1-03, 9-16-05, 7-1-06, 7-1-07, 4-1-08, 1-6-09, 8-27-09, 3-23-12, 6-10-13, 7-9-15, 1-4-16, 6-1-16, 7-1-16, 11-17-16, 1-1-17, 8-24-17, 1-16-18, 7-23-18, 1-15-19, 7-1-19,                     .

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Jessica McCawley, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries Management, 620 S. Meridian St., Tallahassee, Florida 32399, and [phone].

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: December 12, 2019

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: December 9, 2019