The purpose of this rule amendment is to standardize the format and rule language in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (Commission) cobia rules. The cobia Chapter (68B-19) has been reformatted to simplify the rule language, ...

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Marine Fisheries

RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:

68B-19.001Definitions

68B-19.002Cobia, Size Limit

68B-19.003Size Limit; Landed in Whole Condition Requirement

68B-19.004Designation as Restricted Species; Bag and Possession Limits

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this rule amendment is to standardize the format and rule language in the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s (Commission) cobia rules. The cobia Chapter (68B-19) has been reformatted to simplify the rule language, making it easier to understand and improving the enforceability of the regulations. This rulemaking is part of a rule cleanup effort of Division 68B that will standardize chapters by using the same format for each rule that regulates species, making specific provisions easier to find. Additionally, rule language has been clarified and outdated language has been removed.

The effect of this amendment will be improved rule clarity and enforceability and simplified rule language, making the language easier to understand. This rule amendment will not affect the meaning of the rule nor change the intent of the rule.

SUMMARY: Chapter 68B-19 (Cobia) would be amended to reformat and reorganize the chapter in accordance with the new format developed for Division 68B during the Commission’s marine fisheries rule cleanup process.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: the nature of the rule and the preliminary analysis conducted to determine whether a SERC was required.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATES, TIMES AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATES AND TIMES: During the Commission’s regular meeting June 11, 2013, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. and June 12-13, 2013, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

PLACE: Hilton Garden Inn, 3839 Don Emerson Drive, Lakeland, FL 33811

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 IS: Jessica McCawley, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries Management, 2590 Executive Center Circle East, Suite 201, Tallahassee, Florida 32301, and [phone]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

(Substantial rewording of Rule 68B-19.001 follows. See Florida Administrative Code for present text.)

 

68B-19.001 Designation as a Restricted Species Definitions.

Cobia are hereby designated as a restricted species pursuant to Section 379.101(32), F.S.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: September 1, 2013.

Rulemaking Specific Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 6-13-85, Amended 1-1-90, Formerly 46-19.001, Amended 3-22-01, Amended 9-1-13.

 

(Substantial rewording of Rule 68B-19.002 follows. See Florida Administrative Code for present text.)

 

68B-19.002 Definitions Cobia, Size Limit.

“Cobia,” also known as ling, means a fish of the species Rachycentron canadum, or any part thereof.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: September 1, 2013.

Rulemaking Specific Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 6-13-85, Amended 1-1-90, 8-31-98, Formerly 46-19.002, Amended 3-22-01, Amended 9-1-13.

 

68B-19.003 Size Limit; Landed in Whole Condition Requirement.

(1) Size Limit – A person may not harvest or land from Florida Waters, or possess in or on Florida Waters, a cobia that is less than 33 inches in fork length.

(2) Landed in Whole Condition Requirement - A person harvesting cobia shall land each cobia in whole condition. A person may not possess in or on Florida Waters a cobia that has been beheaded, sliced, divided, filleted, ground, skinned, scaled, or deboned. This provision will not be construed to prohibit the evisceration (gutting) of a cobia or removal of gills from a cobia.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: September 1, 2013.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 9-1-13.

 

(Substantial rewording of Rule 68B-19.004 follows. See Florida Administrative Code for present text.)

 

68B-19.004 Vessel Limits Designation as Restricted Species; Bag and Possession Limits.

(1) Recreational Bag Limit – A recreational harvester may not harvest or land from Florida Waters, or possess in or on Florida Waters, more than 1 cobia per day.

(2) Commercial Bag Limit – A commercial harvester may not harvest or land from Florida Waters, or possess in or on Florida Waters, more than 2 cobia per day.

(3) General Vessel Limit – The persons aboard a vessel in or on Florida Waters may not collectively possess more than 6 cobia, regardless of the number of licensed or license-exempt persons onboard. This provision will not be construed to authorize harvest or possession of cobia in excess of the applicable bag limits.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: September 1, 2013.

Rulemaking Specific Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 1-1-90, Formerly 46-19.004, Amended 3-22-01, Amended 9-1-13.

 

BE ADVISED THAT THESE PROPOSED RULES MAY BE FILED FOR ADOPTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOLLOWING THE COMMISSION MEETING AT WHICH THEY ARE CONSIDERED IF THE RULES ARE NOT CHANGED. IF CHANGED, THE RULES MAY BE FILED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER PUBLICATION OF A NOTICE OF CHANGE IN THE F.A.R.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Jessica McCawley, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries Management, 2590 Executive Center Circle East, Suite 201, Tallahassee, Florida 32301, and [phone]

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: April 17, 2013

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: December 28, 2012