The purpose of these rule amendments is to expand the area where the taking of commercial sponges by diving in the waters of the State of Florida is allowed and to specify the method by which they may be harvested. The effect is to provide ...

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Marine Fisheries

RULE NO: RULE TITLE
68B-28.003: Diving: Open and Closed Areas
68B-28.0035: Commercial Sponge Size Limit
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of these rule amendments is to expand the area where the taking of commercial sponges by diving in the waters of the State of Florida is allowed and to specify the method by which they may be harvested. The effect is to provide commercial sponge harvesters additional territory in which to work, while assuring that sponges harvested by diving are cut, rather than pulled, from the bottom to allow regrowth.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Commercial Sponge Harvest.
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.
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 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.