The purpose of this rule development is to modify the recreational bag limit for red drum in the Northwest management zone. The Northwest red drum management zone includes all state waters from a line due west of the western point of the Fred ...

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Marine Fisheries

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

68B-22.005Bag and Vessel Limits; Sale Prohibited

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this rule development is to modify the recreational bag limit for red drum in the Northwest management zone. The Northwest red drum management zone includes all state waters from a line due west of the western point of the Fred Howard Park Causeway just south of the Pasco-Pinellas county line to the Florida-Alabama border.

The red drum bag limit in the Northwest and Northeast management zones was increased from one to two fish in 2012 based on the results of the 2011 stock assessment. However, stakeholders in parts of the Northwest red drum management zone have expressed concerns about a decline in red drum in their area in the past 2-3 years. Specifically, Panhandle stakeholders have suggested that last year’s red tide in northwest Florida and recent drought conditions may have impacted the red drum population. Since the most recent red drum stock assessment only included data through 2013, any effects from these events are not represented in the assessment and a conservative approach to management of this iconic fishery is desired.

The effect of this rule will be to reduce the red drum bag limit in the Northwest red drum management zone from two fish per person to one fish per person per day. This management measure will further ensure the sustainability of the red drum population and both the food and sport fisheries that target them.

SUMMARY: This rule will reduce the red drum bag limit in the Northwest red drum management zone in response to stakeholder concerns.

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:

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 DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: During the Commission’s regular meeting September 8-9, 2016, 8:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

PLACE: World Golf Village Renaissance Resort, 500 South Legacy Trail, St. Augustine, FL 32092

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:

 

68B-22

RED DRUM (REDFISH)

 

68B-22.005 Bag and Vessel Limits; Sale Prohibited.

(1) Northwest and Northeast Regional Bag Limit – Except as provided for in Rule 68B-22.007, F.A.C., in the northeast and northwest regions, no person shall harvest nor possess more than two native redfish per day while in, on, or above the waters of the state or on any dock, pier, bridge, beach, boat ramp, or other fishing site adjacent to such waters, and any parking location adjacent to said fishing sites.

(2) Northwest and South Regional Bag Limit – Except as provided for in Rule 68B-22.007, F.A.C., in the northwest and south regions, no person shall harvest nor possess more than one native redfish per day while in, on, or above the waters of the state or on any dock, pier, bridge, beach, boat ramp, or other fishing site adjacent to such waters, and any parking location adjacent to said fishing sites.

(3) through (5) No change.

 

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: November 1, 2016

 

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.W.

 

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

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: June 23, 2016

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: January 11, 2016