The purpose of this rule development notice is to address a rule amendment to correct an error in the recreational bay scallop bag and vessel limits applicable to state waters within the Fenholloway – Suwannee River Zone ....

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Marine Fisheries

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

68B-18.004Recreational Bag and Vessel Limits; Commercial Harvest Prohibited

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this rule development notice is to address a rule amendment to correct an error in the recreational bay scallop bag and vessel limits applicable to state waters within the Fenholloway – Suwannee River Zone from June 15 through June 30 each year to accurately reflect the bag and vessel limits that were approved by the Commission at their regularly scheduled meeting on May 1-2, 2019.

SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: The subject areas addressed in the rule development notice include bag limits and vessel limits.

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, 620 S. Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399 [phone].

 

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS:

 

68B-18.004 Recreational Bag and Vessel Limits; Commercial Harvest Prohibited.

(1) Recreational Limits –

(a) Bag Limits –

1. No change.

2. During the period beginning June 15 and continuing through June 30 each year, a person may not harvest or land per day from the Fenholloway – Suwannee River Zone or possess in or on the Fenholloway – Suwannee River Zone more than 1 gallon of whole bay scallops in the shell, or more than 1 cup pint of bay scallop meat.

(b) Vessel Limits –

1. No change.

2. During the period beginning June 15 and continuing through June 30 each year, the persons aboard a vessel in or on the Fenholloway – Suwannee River Zone may not collectively possess more than 5 10 gallons of whole bay scallops in the shell, or more than 2 pints 1/2 gallon of bay scallop meat, regardless of the number of licensed or license-exempt licensed-exempt harvesters aboard.

3. No change.

(c) No change.

(2) No change.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 6-13-85, Amended 3-1-95, Formerly 46-18.004, Amended 9-1-13, 1-1-20, 6-1-22.