The purpose of these rule amendments is to allow for a less narrowly-defined configuration for the fold up traps typically used in the recreational harvest of harvest blue crabs. The effect will be to allow the legal use of fold-up traps up to 1 ...

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION
Marine Fisheries

RULE NO: RULE TITLE
68B-45.002: Definitions
68B-45.004: Regulation and Prohibition of Certain Harvesting Gear
PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of these rule amendments is to allow for a less narrowly-defined configuration for the fold up traps typically used in the recreational harvest of harvest blue crabs. The effect will be to allow the legal use of fold-up traps up to 1 cubic foot in volume that are not necessarily pyramid-shaped.
SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Fold up blue crab traps.
SPECIFIC 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 WEEKLY.
THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: James V. Antista, General Counsel, Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 620 South Meridian Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600, [phone]

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS:

68B-45.002 Definitions.

(1) through (4) No change.

(5) “Fold up trap” means a pyramid-shaped plastic or wire meshed collapsing trap, with a square base panel and triangular-shaped side panels, that opens outward to occupy a single plane when placed on the water bottom. It is baited in the center of the base panel and encloses crabs when retrieved by means of a cord drawing together the topmost points of the side panels triangles.

(6) through (17) No change.

Specific Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 12-14-93, Amended 6-1-94, 10-4-95, Formerly 46-45.002, Amended 7-1-03, 7-15-04, 5-26-05, ________.

 

68B-45.004 Regulation and Prohibition of Certain Harvesting Gear.

(1)(a) through (c) No change.

(d) Fold-up trap with a square base panel no larger than one foot square.

(e) through (g) No change.

(2) through (10) No change.

Specific Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 12-14-93, Amended 6-1-94, 1-1-95, 10-4-95, 9-30-96, 1-1-98, 6-1-99, Formerly 46-45.004, Amended 2-28-02, 10-21-04, 3-1-05, 3-30-06, 9-21-06,________.