The proposed rule amendments will reclassify some shellfish harvesting areas to protect the health of shellfish consumers and to provide access to renewable shellfish resources. The proposed rule amendments will also correct errors and formatting ...

 

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 some shellfish harvesting areas to protect the health of shellfish consumers and to provide access to renewable shellfish resources. The proposed rule amendments will also correct errors and formatting inconsistencies in the incorporated Shellfish Harvesting Area Classification Boundaries and Management Plans. The proposed rule amendments eliminate the adoption of and references to the classification maps and instead provide only the legal description of each area. 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 public health.

SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: The following shellfish harvesting areas and management plans will be amended: West Bay (#08), St. Joseph Bay (#14), Lemon Bay (#56), Myakka River (#60), Pine Island Sound (#62), Body F (#74), Body D (#76), and Body B (#78). Errors found within the Indian Lagoon (#15), Apalachicola Bay (#16) shellfish harvesting area descriptions will be corrected.

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.