The purpose of this rule development notice is to address a rule amendment for the Tortugas Shrimp Beds boundary description. The Commission is considering updates to the boundary description, including boundary coordinates, ....

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Marine Fisheries

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

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

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this rule development notice is to address a rule amendment for the Tortugas Shrimp Beds boundary description. The Commission is considering updates to the boundary description, including boundary coordinates, which have become inaccurate due to changes such as a navigational aid becoming non-operational and improvements in technology. The effect of this rule amendment would be complementing a recent federal change to the boundary and improving the accuracy, clarity, and enforceability of regulations with minimal change to the size of the area protecting shrimp nursery grounds.

SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Subject areas addressed in the rule development notice include updates to the boundary of the Tortugas Shrimp Beds and other subjects encompassed by the above-cited rule.

RULEMAKING 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 REGISTER.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Ms. Jessica McCawley, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries Management, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 S. Meridian St., Tallahassee, Florida 32399, [phone]

 

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS:

68B-31.016 Tortugas Shrimp Beds: Repeal of Section 370.151(2), F.S. (1991); Description 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) 24°34.741'N, 82°35.113'W (Rebecca Shoals Light); 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 Territorial Sea 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 24°27.236'N, 81°52.650'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°01.120'’N, 80°30.000'W; thence north until a point on the mainland at 25°12.090'’N, 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. 

(3) renumbered as (2) No change. 

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,               .