The purpose of this rule development effort is to close what has become an enforcement loophole for persons violating the Commission’s netting rules. Recovery and disposal of monofilament netting is being used as a defense to rules prohibiting ...

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Marine Fisheries

RULE NO: RULE TITLE
68B-4.009: Monofilament Line and Netting: Prohibition of Intentional Discard, Recovery Requirements, Recommendations for Appropriate Disposal
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this rule development effort is to close what has become an enforcement loophole for persons violating the Commission’s netting rules. Recovery and disposal of monofilament netting is being used as a defense to rules prohibiting possession of monofilament gill or entangling nets and requiring direct transit for persons seeking to use such nets in federal waters where they are legal. The effect of these rule changes should be to improve enforcement of those net provisions and make prosecutions of net violations more successful.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Use of monofilament recovery and disposal provisions as defense to net violations.
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 NOT AVAILABLE.