The proposed rule amendments will reclassify shellfish harvesting areas and update the associated maps to protect the health of shellfish consumers and to provide access to renewable shellfish resources. The effect of these amendments is to ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES

Division of Aquaculture

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

5L-1.003Shellfish Harvesting Area Standards

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The proposed rule amendments will reclassify shellfish harvesting areas and update the associated maps to protect the health of shellfish consumers and to provide access to renewable shellfish resources. The effect of these amendments is to maximize the amount of shellfish harvesting waters available and to maximize the times those waters will be in the open status while continuing to protect the public health.

SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: The following shellfish harvesting areas and management plans will be amended: Pensacola Bay (#02), North Bay (#10), East Bay (#12), Horseshoe Beach (#25), Suwannee Sound (#28), Withlacoochee Bay(#34), Lower Tampa Bay (#48), Gasparilla Sound (#56) and Ten Thousand Island (#66). Waccasassa (#32) to correct the legal description with a GPS point that was previously not included.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 597.020 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 597.020 FS.

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: Jill Fleiger, Division of Aquaculture, 600 S Calhoun Street, Suite 217, Tallahassee, Florida 32399, phone: [phone]

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