The National Marine Fisheries Service recently approved action that would delegate authority to each of the Gulf states to manage harvest of red snapper by private recreational anglers in federal waters off their state. The Commission will consider ...

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Marine Fisheries

RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:

68B-14.001Purpose and Intent, Designation as Restricted Species

68B-14.002Definitions

68B-14.0036Recreational Bag Limits: Snapper, Grouper, Hogfish, Black Sea Bass, Red Porgy, Amberjacks, Tilefish, Exception, Wholesale/Retail Purchase Exemption

68B-14.0038Recreational Snapper Seasons

68B-14.006Other Prohibitions and Exception

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The National Marine Fisheries Service recently approved action that would delegate authority to each of the Gulf states to manage harvest of red snapper by private recreational anglers in federal waters off their state. The Commission will consider several rule changes to 68B-14 that will extend Florida’s recreational red snapper bag limit, size limit and season into Gulf federal waters for private recreational anglers. The Commission will also consider rule changes to allow federally-permitted for-hire vessels to possess red snapper in Gulf state waters while the federal for-hire season is open, but state waters are closed.

SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Subject areas addressed in the rule development notice include references to rule modifications that would allow FWC to manage harvest of red snapper by private recreational anglers in Gulf federal waters, and create an allowance for federally-permitted for-hire vessels to possess red snapper in Gulf state waters while the federal for-hire season is open, but state waters are closed.

RULEMAKING 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 REGISTER.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Ms. Jessica McCawley, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries Management, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 1875 Orange Avenue East, Tallahassee, FL, 32311, [phone]

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE FROM THE CONTACT PERSON LISTED ABOVE.