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.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Black sea bass traps.
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.
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-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,________.