The purpose of this rule development is to require commercial oyster harvesters to complete an annual training course outlining proper harvest, handling, and transportation practices for oysters and obtain a no-cost Shellfish Harvest endorsement in ...

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Marine Fisheries

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

68B-27.018Statewide Harvesting Restrictions

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this rule development is to require commercial oyster harvesters to complete an annual training course outlining proper harvest, handling, and transportation practices for oysters and obtain a no-cost Shellfish Harvest endorsement in association with their Saltwater Products License (SPL) before harvesting or possessing oysters for commercial purposes or selling oysters. The Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference (ISSC) provides state shellfish programs with sanitation guidelines for the harvest, processing, and shipping of shellfish. States are subsequently reviewed by the US Food and Drug Administration to determine if the state’s programs and regulations are consistent with these guidelines. The ISSC recently mandated that states develop and implement a training program outlining proper harvest, handling, and transportation practices for commercial shellfish harvesters. This training is required to be completed prior to the issuance or renewal of a commercial license. In order to implement this recommendation, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) has developed training courses in proper oyster and hard clam harvest and post-harvest practices that will be offered each year to harvesters of these species. SPL applicants who demonstrate completion of the appropriate course will qualify to receive or renew the Shellfish Harvest endorsement.

The effect of this rule will be to establish the Shellfish Harvest endorsement in order to comply with the recent Interstate Shellfish Sanitation Conference (ISSC) mandate requiring states to develop and implement a training program outlining proper harvest, handling, and transportation practices for commercial shellfish harvesters.

SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Subject areas to be addressed in the rule development notice include statewide harvesting requirements and other subjects encompassed by the above-cited possible rules.

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

LAW IMPLEMENTED: Art. IV, Section 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.

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 DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT, IF AVAILABLE, IS: Ms. Jessica McCawley, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries Management, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2590 Executive Center Circle E., Station 201, Tallahassee, Florida 32301, [phone]

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS NOT AVAILABLE.