The purpose of this rule development notice is to address the possible creation of a new rule chapter for barracuda. The Commission is considering development of species-specific regulations for great barracuda. The effect of the new rule chapter ...

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Marine Fisheries

RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:

68B-60.002Definitions

68B-60.003Size Limits

68B-60.004Bag Limits

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this rule development notice is to address the possible creation of a new rule chapter for barracuda. The Commission is considering development of species-specific regulations for great barracuda. The effect of the new rule chapter would be to establish harvest regulations for the management of barracuda populations and could possibly include regional bag limits and size limits, to address great barracuda conservation concerns.

SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Subject areas addressed in the rule development notice include creation of conservation measures for great barracuda, including bag limits and size limits for barracuda harvested from the waters off south Florida.

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: Ms. Jessica McCawley, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries Management, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2590 Executive Center Circle E, Suite 201, Tallahassee, Florida 32301, [phone]

 

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS:

 

Chapter 68B-60

Barracuda

68B-60.002 Definitions.

“Great barracuda” means a fish of the species Sphyraena barracuda, or any part thereof.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New_________.

 

68B-60.003 Regional Size Limits.

Minimum and Maximum Size Limits – The following size limit applies in all state and adjacent federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico south of a line extended due west from the Collier-Lee County Line (26°19.823’N. Latitude) and all state and adjacent federal waters of the Atlantic Ocean south of a line extended due east from the Martin-St. Lucie County Line (27°15.781’N. Latitude) including the waters off Collier, Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Martin Counties. A person may not harvest, possess, or land a great barracuda within the above described region that is less than 15 inches in fork length or greater than 36 inches in fork length.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New_________.

 

68B-60.004 Regional Bag Limits.

The following bag limits apply in all state and adjacent federal waters of the Gulf of Mexico south of a line extended due west from the Collier-Lee County Line (26°19.823’N. Latitude) and all state and adjacent federal waters of the Atlantic Ocean south of a line extended due east from the Martin-St. Lucie County Line (27°15.781’N. Latitude) including the waters off Collier, Monroe, Miami-Dade, Broward, Palm Beach, and Martin Counties.

(1) Recreational Bag Limit – A recreational harvester may not harvest, possess, or land more than two great barracuda per day within the above described region.

(2) Commercial Bag Limit – A commercial harvester may not harvest, possess, or land more than 20 great barracuda per day within the above described region.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New________.