The purpose of this rule development notice is to address possible rule amendments for Atlantic gag grouper and black grouper in response to a recent gag grouper assessment, stakeholder input, and pending recreational management ....

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Marine Fisheries

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

68B-14.0036Recreational Bag Limits: Snapper, Grouper, Hogfish, Black Sea Bass, Red Porgy, Amberjacks, Tilefish, Exception, Wholesale/Retail Purchase Exemption

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this rule development notice is to address possible rule amendments for Atlantic gag grouper and black grouper in response to a recent gag grouper assessment, stakeholder input, and pending recreational management changes in Atlantic federal waters. The effect of this rule amendment is to provide additional conservation measures to help rebuild the gag grouper fishery, including applying the same regulations to black grouper due to misidentification issues between the two species.

SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Subject areas to be addressed in the rule development notice may include establishing a recreational vessel limit and prohibiting for-hire captain and crew from retaining a bag limit for gag grouper and black grouper in Florida’s Atlantic state waters, including all state waters of Monroe County.

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.