The purpose of this rule amendment is to modify rule language to update specific Fish Management Areas and associated regulations. These changes would establish The Florida Fishing Trail FMA.

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

68A-20.005Specific Fish Management Area Regulations

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this rule amendment is to modify rule language to update specific Fish Management Areas and associated regulations. These changes would establish The Florida Fishing Trail FMA.

SUMMARY: Staff are seeking to update rule language to add the Florida Fishing Trail Fish Management Area as well as all rules and regulations for that specific area. Rules include procedures for access, species regulations, and allowable recreational opportunities.

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: Art. IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution

LAW IMPLEMENTED: Art. IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN THE FAR.

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: Ryan Hamm, Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 7386 NW 71st Street, Gainesville, Florida 32653, [phone]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

68A-20.005 Specific Fish Management Area Regulations.

(1) through (3) No Change

(4) Southwest Region:

(a) through (w) No change

(x) Florida Fishing Trail, Hardee County:

1. All visitors shall check in and out at the Mosaic Check-in Station, located at 3659 Parish Road, Bowling Green, Florida 33834.

2. Fishing is allowed only by daily permit issued by the Commission. The daily permit is issued at the Mosaic Check-in Station.

3. Days and hours of operation and quotas shall be as designated by the Commission and posted at the Mosaic Check-in Station. Lakes permitted for fishing shall be posted at the Mosaic Check-in Station.

4. No person shall kill or possess any black bass.

5. No person shall take in any one day more than 6 sunshine bass.

6.No person shall kill or possess any black crappie that is less than 10 inches in total length. No person shall take in any one day more than 10 black crappie.

7. Fish must remain in whole condition with heads, tails and fins attached until the angler has checked out at the Mosaic Check-in Station. Disposal of fish remains within the Florida Fishing Trail Fish Management Area is prohibited.

8. Taking of fish or wildlife with firearms is prohibited.

9. Motor vehicles may be operated only on designated roads, parking areas and boat ramps. 

10. No person shall park any vehicle in a manner that obstructs a road, boat ramp, gate, or fire lane.

11. Swimming and float tubes are prohibited.

12. The use or possession of cast nets and minnow seines is prohibited.

13. Commercial fishermen with a written authorization from the landowner may remove non-native fish from designated lakes by cast nets and minnow seines.

14. The use of vessels in excess of 25 feet long is prohibited.

15. The use of vessels propelled by internal combustion engines is prohibited on lakes Rotary and Key.

16. Vessel use is restricted to idle speed—no wake.

17. Discharge of firearms is prohibited.

18. Possession of alcoholic beverages is prohibited.

19. Persons under the influence of alcohol or drugs shall be denied entry to the Florida Fishing Trail Fish Management Area.

(5) No Change

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. 379.3751, 379.3752 FS. History–New 8-1-79, Amended 2-19-80, 5-19-80, 6-4-81, 9-28-81, 6-21-82, 7-1-83, 11-17-83, 7-1-84, 7-1-85, Formerly 39-20.05, Amended 2-27-86, 6-1-86, 5-10-87, 4-13-88, 7-1-89, 7-1-90, 4-11-91, 7-1-91, 7-2-92, 8-23-92, 4-20-93, 7-1-94, 8-15-95, 10-23-95, 4-1-96, 2-16-97, 6-1-97, 6-29-97, 1-1-98, 7-1-98, 11-2-98, Formerly 39-20.005, Amended 4-30-00, 7-1-00, 10-10-00, 4-1-01, 7-1-01, 10-9-01, 7-1-02, 1-1-03, 7-1-03, 1-1-04, 7-1-04, 7-17-05, 7-1-06, 4-1-07, 7-1-08, 7-1-10, 2-8-11, 3-25-12, 7-1-12, 4-9-13, 5-22-13, 7-1-16, 6-20-18, 3-22-22, 9-19-22, 7-6-23, 4-16-24,                .

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Ryan Hamm, Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 7386 NW 71st Street, Gainesville, Florida 32653, [phone]

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: September 17, 2024

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: August 20, 2024