Designation as Restricted Species, Size Limits; Landed in Whole Condition Requirement, Bag Limits; Bycatch Allowance, Seasons., Allowed and Prohibited Gear and Methods of Harvest; Bycatch Exception

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Marine Fisheries

RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:

68B-48.001Designation as Restricted Species

68B-48.003Size Limits; Landed in Whole Condition Requirement

68B-48.004Bag Limits; Bycatch Allowance

68B-48.005Seasons.

68B-48.006Allowed and Prohibited Gear and Methods of Harvest; Bycatch Exception

NOTICE OF CHANGE

Notice is hereby given that the following changes have been made to the proposed rule in accordance with subparagraph 120.54(3)(d)1., F.S., published in Vol. 46 No. 225, November 18, 2020 issue of the Florida Administrative Register.

Proposed amendment to Rule 68B-48.001 has been changed to update the effective date as follows:

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 1-1-96, Formerly 46-48.001, Amended 9-1-13, 3-1-212-1-21.

Proposed amendment to Rule 68B-48.003 has been changed to update the effective date as follows:

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 1-1-96, Amended 1-1-97, 8-31-98, Formerly 46-48.003, Amended 9-1-13, 3-1-212-1-21.

Proposed amendment to Rule 68B-48.004 has been changed to include the following:

68B-48.004 Recreational Bag Limits; Commercial Bag and Vessel Limits; Commercial Bycatch Allowance

(1) No change.

(2) Commercial Limits –

(a) No change.

(b) No change.

(c) Commercial Bycatch Allowance – The following harvest, possession, and landing limits shall apply to the commercial harvest of flounder as incidental bycatch pursuant to subsection 68B-48.006(3), F.A.C.:

1. Except as provided subparagraph (2)(c)2., a commercial harvester may not harvest or possess within or without Florida Waters more than 50 flounder per trip or land more than 50 flounder per day as incidental bycatch of gear that is being used to lawfully harvest another target species.

2. In or on federal waters adjacent to Florida Waters, a commercial harvester is subject to the following harvest, possession, and landing limits when harvesting flounder as incidental bycatch in shrimp trawls that are being used to lawfully harvest shrimp in federal waters adjacent to Florida Waters:

a. Beginning December 1 and continuing through October 14 of the following year, the commercial harvesters aboard a vessel may not collectively harvest or possess or land more than 150 flounder per trip or land more than 150 flounder per day.

b. Beginning October 15 and continuing through November 30 each year, the commercial harvesters aboard a vessel may not collectively harvest or possess or land more than 50 flounder per trip or land more than 50 flounder per day.

c. No change.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 1-1-96, Amended 1-1-97, 1-1-98, Formerly 46-48.004, Amended 9-1-13, 3-1-212-1-21.

Proposed amendment to Rule 68B-48.005 has been changed to update the effective date as follows:

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 3-1-212-1-21.

Proposed amendment to Rule 68B-48.006 has been changed to update the effective date as follows:

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 9-1-13, Amended 3-1-212-1-21.