The Commission will consider a federal consistency action to keep Atlantic king mackerel commercial vessel limits consistent with limits in adjacent federal waters. NOAA Fisheries is expected to increase the federal Atlantic king mackerel ...

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Marine Fisheries

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

68B-30.003Commercial Harvest Limits; Recreational Bag Limit; Gear Specifications

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Commission will consider a federal consistency action to keep Atlantic king mackerel commercial vessel limits consistent with limits in adjacent federal waters. NOAA Fisheries is expected to increase the federal Atlantic king mackerel commercial vessel limit beginning in October 2020. Maintaining consistent commercial vessel limits between state and federal waters will reduce regulatory confusion and provide greater opportunities for the commercial fishery.

SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Subject areas to be addressed in the rule development notice include Atlantic king mackerel commercial vessel limits for state waters, specifically updating the reference to the federal commercial vessel limit in FWC’s Atlantic king mackerel rule to refer to the new federal vessel limit when implemented.

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: Jessica McCawley, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries Management, 620 S. Meridian St., Tallahassee, Florida 32399, and [phone].

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