Introduction of Non-native Species into the State

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Rule No.: RULE TITLE
68-5.001: Introduction of Non-native Species into the State

NOTICE OF CHANGE

Notice is hereby given that the following changes have been made to the proposed rule in accordance with subparagraph 120.54(3)(d)1., F.S., published in Vol. 36, No. 20, May 21, 2010 issue of the Florida Administrative Weekly.

Proposed amendment to Rule 68-5.001(3) has been changed to include the following modified subsection:

(3) Conditional Non-native Species – No person shall import into the state, sell, possess, or transport any live specimens of the species, or hybrids or eggs thereof, listed in Rule 68-5.002, F.A.C., except by Conditional/Prohibited/ Nonnative species permit and as provided in paragraphs (a) through (f) below:

(a) through (d) No change.

(e) Snakes and lizards:

2. Identification: Conditional snakes and lizards shall be permanently identified with a unique passive integrated transponder (PIT tag). Identification shall consist of the implantation of a unique PIT tag under the specimen’s skin in a manner to maintain the PIT tag permanently in place.

a. For snakes implantation shall be in specimens with a one (1) inch or greater diameter. The PIT tag shall be implanted in the rear one-third (1/3) of the snake, forward of the anal plate.

b. For lizards implantation shall be in the body cavity in close proximity to and forward of a rear leg, or in a rear leg.

c. The requirement pertaining to the location of the PIT tag implantation shall not apply to specimens implanted prior to acquisition of the animal or prior to the effective date of this rule.

d. Records of identification including PIT tag number where applicable, along with information about the specimen being identified (species, specimen name or number, gender, and age) must be provided to the Commission within 72 hours of acquisition and maintained in the possessor’s records for as long as the specimen is possessed.

e. Exemption: Conditional snakes and lizards being held for export by any person who possesses such animals in accordance with Sections 379.304 and 379.372, F.S., are exempt from the permanent identification requirement of this section for a period not to exceed 180 days provided such animals or their enclosures are permanently marked so as to be traceable to written records indicating the date such conditional snakes and lizards were acquired.

f. Effective Date: All The permanent identification requirements for conditional snake and lizard species in this rule shall not take effect until August 1, 2010.

(f) No change.

No other changes were made to the rule amendments as proposed.