These amendments propose to reclassify the West Bay, Alligator Harbor, Myakka River and South Volusia shellfish harvesting areas. Sanitary surveys have been conducted that evaluated current information on pollution sources and bacteriological water ...

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
Division of Aquaculture

RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:
5L-1.003: Shellfish Harvesting Area Standards
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: These amendments propose to reclassify the West Bay, Alligator Harbor, Myakka River and South Volusia shellfish harvesting areas. Sanitary surveys have been conducted that evaluated current information on pollution sources and bacteriological water quality, and recommends reclassification of the West Bay, Alligator Harbor, Myakka River and South Volusia shellfish harvesting areas. This amendment further proposes to make a minor change to the boundary of three shellfish areas. The effect would be to increase the acres available to shell fishing and to decrease the number of days the areas would be closed statewide.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: The proposed reclassification and management of the West Bay, Alligator Harbor, Myakka River and South Volusia shellfish harvesting areas for shellfish harvesting is in accordance with Rule 5L-1.003, F.A.C., to protect the health of shellfish consumers and to provide access to renewable shellfish resources. Likewise, the refining of the boundary in shellfish area 16 is also in accordance with Rule 5L-1.003, F.A.C. The goal of the Division of Aquaculture 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.
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 WEEKLY.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Chris Brooks, Division of Aquaculture, 1203 Governor’s Square Boulevard, Suite 501, Tallahassee, Florida 32301, Phone: [phone]

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