Participants in the black sea bass fishery have requested a volumetric equivalency for the current specifications on black sea bass traps similar to the existing equivalency provision in the stone crab and blue crab rules for traps for these species....

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Marine Fisheries

RULE NO: RULE TITLE
68B-14.005: Regulation and Prohibition of Certain Harvesting Gear: Allowable Gear, Incidental Bycatch, Violation
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: Participants in the black sea bass fishery have requested a volumetric equivalency for the current specifications on black sea bass traps similar to the existing equivalency provision in the stone crab and blue crab rules for traps for these species. The purpose of this rule amendment is to allow for a less narrowly-defined configuration for black sea bass traps for the commercial harvest of black sea bass. The effect will be to allow the legal use of black sea bass traps to 8 cubic feet in volume.
SUMMARY: The proposed amendment to paragraph (1)(b) of Rule 68B-14.005, F.A.C., would modify the language that specifies black sea bass trap requirements to substitute a volumetric equivalency for the current dimension specifications.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS: No Statement of Estimated Regulatory Cost was prepared.
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.
SPECIFIC 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 regular meeting of the Commission, February 6-7, 2008, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., each day
PLACE: Bay Point Marriott Golf Resort & Spa, 4200 Marriott Drive, Panama City Beach, Florida 32408
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: Mark Robson, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries Management, 2590 Executive Center Circle East, Suite 201, Tallahassee, Florida 32301, [phone]

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

68B-14.005 Regulation and Prohibition of Certain Harvesting Gear: Allowable Gear, Incidental Bycatch, Violation.

(1) Allowable gear.

(a) No change.

(b)1. The outer dimensions do not exceed 2 feet in height, 2 feet in width, and 2 feet in depth or a volume of 8 cubic feet, and the throat or entrance does not exceed 5 inches in height and 2 inches in width at its narrowest point.

2. through 6. No change.

(2) through (3) No change.

Specific Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 12-11-86, Amended 2-1-90, 3-1-94, 10-4-95, 7-15-96, 1-1-98, 12-31-98, 6-1-99, Formerly 46-14.005, Amended 1-1-03, 3-1-05, 7-17-05, 7-1-07,________.

BE ADVISED THAT THESE PROPOSED RULES MAY BE FILED FOR ADOPTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOLLOWING THE COMMISSION MEETING AT WHICH THEY ARE CONSIDERED IF THE RULES ARE NOT CHANGED. IF CHANGED, THE RULES MAY BE FILED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER PUBLICATION OF A NOTICE OF CHANGE IN THE FAW.

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Mark Robson, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries Management
NAME OF SUPERVISOR OR PERSON WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Mr. Kenneth D. Haddad, Executive Director
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: December 6, 2007
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAW: October 5, 2007