A federal stock assessment update completed in 2012 showed that vermilion snapper are not overfished or undergoing overfishing. As a result, the November through March recreational closed season in Atlantic federal waters has been eliminated (...

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Marine Fisheries

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

68B-14.0038Recreational Snapper Seasons

PURPOSE, EFFECT AND SUMMARY: A federal stock assessment update completed in 2012 showed that vermilion snapper are not overfished or undergoing overfishing. As a result, the November through March recreational closed season in Atlantic federal waters has been eliminated (formerly 50 C.F.R. § 622.183 (b)(4); amended 78 FR 47574, August 6, 2013). The rule amendment would eliminate the annual November through March recreational season closure for vermilion snapper in Atlantic state waters. The purpose of this rule is to achieve consistency between the Commission’s vermilion snapper regulations in state waters of the Atlantic Ocean and regulations in Atlantic federal waters.

The effect of this rule amendment is that federal and state vermilion snapper regulations can be applied consistently off Florida’s east coast. Consistent regulations in state waters would eliminate confusion when fishing for snappers in the Atlantic Ocean off Florida and provide more recreational opportunities for anglers from November to March. Rule 68B-14.0038, F.A.C. (Recreational Snapper Seasons) would be amended to eliminate language providing a closed season for recreational vermilion snapper harvest in state waters of the Atlantic Ocean during the months of November through March.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.

THIS RULEMAKING IS UNDERTAKEN PURSUANT TO SECTION 120.54(6), F.S. WRITTEN COMMENTS MAY BE SUBMITTED WITHIN 14 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE TO: Bud Vielhauer, General Counsel, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600, [phone]. SUBSTANTIALLY AFFECTED PERSONS MAY WITHIN 14 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, FILE AN OBJECTION TO THIS RULEMAKING WITH THE AGENCY. THE OBJECTION SHALL SPECIFY THE PORTIONS OF THE PROPOSED RULE TO WHICH THE PERSON OBJECTS AND THE SPECIFIC REASONS FOR THE OBJECTION.

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

68B-14.0038 Recreational Snapper Seasons.

(1) Recreational Red Snapper Season. In all state waters of the Gulf of Mexico, the season for the recreational harvest and possession of red snapper shall be from June 1 through July 14, each year. Except for persons harvesting red snapper for commercial purposes pursuant to Rule 68B-14.0045, F.A.C., from July 15 through May 31, no person shall harvest in or from state waters of the Gulf of Mexico, nor possess while in or on state waters of the Gulf of Mexico, any red snapper.

(2) Recreational Vermilion Snapper Season. In all state waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the season for the recreational harvest and possession of vermilion snapper shall be from April 1 through October 31, each year (consistent with the Federal Standard established in 50 C.F.R. § 622.35(k)). Except for persons harvesting vermilion snapper for commercial purposes pursuant to Rule 68B-14.0045, F.A.C., from November 1 through March 31, no person shall harvest in or from state waters of the Atlantic Ocean, nor possess while in or on state waters of the Atlantic Ocean, any vermilion snapper.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 10-20-98, Formerly 46-14.0038, Amended 12-30-99, 3-12-09, 8-7-09, 10-16-09, 6-4-10, 10-8-10, 7-22-11, 7-6-12, 5-31-13,__________.