The purpose of this rulemaking is to consolidate, reorganize, clarify, streamline, and standardize Florida’s shrimp regulations into chapter 68B-31, F.A.C., to make these regulations easier to read, understand, and enforce. ....

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Marine Fisheries

RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:

68B-31.001Northeast Florida Live Bait Shrimp Fishery; Purpose and Intent

68B-31.002Definitions

68B-31.003Live Bait Shrimp Trawl Gear Specifications

68B-31.0035Trawls: Allowed Use; Maximum Square Footage of Mesh Area; Definitions

68B-31.004Trawl Gear Specifications: Turtle Excluder Devices Required; Exceptions; Definitions

68B-31.0045Trawl Gear Specifications: Bycatch Reduction Devices

68B-31.005Purpose and Intent; Repeal of Certain General and Special Acts; Designation of Shrimp as Restriction Species

68B-31.006Definitions

68B-31.0061Northeast Region: Allowable Gear and Harvest Methods; Prohibited Gear

68B-31.0062Southeast Region: Allowable Gear and Harvest Methods; Prohibited Gear; Seasonal and Spatial Trawling Restrictions

68B-31.0063Southwest Region: Allowable Gear and Harvest Methods; Prohibited Gear; Seasonal and Spatial Trawling Restrictions

68B-31.0064Big Bend Region: Allowable Gear and Harvest Methods; Prohibited Gear; Seasonal and Spatial Trawling Restrictions

68B-31.0065Northwest Region: Allowable Gear and Harvest Methods; Prohibited Gear

68B-31.0066Landing and Transport Requirements; Live Well and Storage Requirements

68B-31.0067Seasonal East Coast Night Trawling Prohibited

68B-31.007Statewide Recreational Shrimping Restrictions

68B-31.008Statewide Live Bait Shrimp Production Restrictions

68B-31.009Statewide Food Shrimp Production Restrictions

68B-31.010Northwest Region Food Shrimp Production Gear Specifications

68B-31.011Big Bend Region Food Shrimp Production Gear Specifications

68B-31.012Southwest Region Food Shrimp Production Gear Specifications

68B-31.013Southeast Region Food Shrimp Production Gear Specifications

68B-31.0135Southeast Region: Biscayne Bay (Dade County) Food Shrimp Production Season and Weekly Closures

68B-31.0136Southeast Region: Food Shrimp Production Closed Area (Portion of Monroe County)

68B-31.014Northeast Region Food Shrimp Production Gear Specifications

68B-31.0155Northeast Florida Shrimping: Closed Season; Allowable Harvest Days; Commercial Food Shrimp Production License and Transferability; Closed Areas

68B-31.0156Florida East Coast Shrimp Bed: Repeal of Section 370.156, Florida Statutes; Seasonal Food Shrimp Production Closure; Exception; Definition

68B-31.0157East Coast: Night Trawling Prohibited; Exception

68B-31.016Tortugas Shrimp Beds: Repeal of Section 370.151(2), F.S. (1991); Redescription of Tortugas Shrimp Beds; Closed Areas

68B-31.017Big Bend Region Closed Areas; Seasonal Closures

68B-31.018Northwest Region Closed Areas; Repealed Special Acts

68B-31.019Regulation of Shrimp Fishing in Tampa Bay; License Requirements

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this rulemaking is to consolidate, reorganize, clarify, streamline, and standardize Florida’s shrimp regulations into chapter 68B-31, F.A.C., to make these regulations easier to read, understand, and enforce. This rulemaking is part of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s ongoing, long-term Marine Fisheries Rule Cleanup project.

The effect of this rulemaking would be to make clarifying or non-substantive rule updates to implement the standardized rule formatting consistent with the Marine Fisheries Rule Clean-up process, as well as revise outdated language to better align with current fishery practices, application of shrimp regulations, and taxonomic classifications. This rulemaking would also make substantive changes to convey the original intent of certain regulations or to better align with current fishery practices and therefore would reduce confusion and improve the enforceability of shrimp regulations.

SUMMARY: These proposed rule amendments would reorganize and clarify regulations related to shrimping in Florida Waters. The changes in these amendments are part of Marine Fisheries Rule Cleanup, a long-term, ongoing effort to clarify, streamline, and standardize marine fisheries rules to make regulations easier to read, understand, and enforce, without changing the effect or intent of these regulations or how they are applied.

Current shrimp regulations lack an easy-to-follow organizational structure and are dispersed across several rules in different chapters within Division 68B, F.A.C. In addition, some shrimp rules in 68B-31, F.AC., contain outdated terminology, others may not convey the original intent of certain regulations, and others no longer align with current fishery practices. This has resulted in shrimp regulations that can be difficult to find, understand, and enforce.

The proposed rule amendments would make clarifying or non-substantive updates to implement standardized rule formatting and organization consistent with the Marine Fisheries Rule Clean-up process, as well as revise outdated language to better align with current fishery practices, application of shrimp regulations, and taxonomic classifications. The proposed rules would also make substantive changes to convey the original intent of certain regulations or to better align with current fishery practices and therefore would reduce confusion and improve the enforceability of shrimp regulations.

Thirteen rule repeals are proposed for the purpose of redistributing shrimp regulations throughout the proposed final rules in Chapter 68B-31, F.A.C., to correspond with the proposed reorganization of Florida’s shrimp regulations: 68B-31.0045, 68B-31.010, 68B-31.011, 68B-31.012, 68B-31.013, 68B-31.0135, 68B-31.0136, 68B-31.014, 68B-31.0155, 68B-31.0157, 68B-31.016, 68B-31.017, and 68B-31.019, F.A.C.

Three additional repeals are proposed for rules 68B-31.0035, 68B-31.0156, and 68B-31.018, F.A.C., where unnecessary or outdated provisions are proposed for repeal with remaining language redistributed throughout the proposed final rules in Chapter 68B-31, F.A.C., to correspond with the proposed reorganization of Florida’s shrimp regulations.

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: the nature of the rule and the preliminary analysis conducted to determine whether a SERC was required.

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

IF REQUESTED WITHIN 21 DAYS OF THE DATE OF THIS NOTICE, A HEARING WILL BE SCHEDULED AND ANNOUNCED IN THE FAR.

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 (850)488-6411. 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, 620 S. Meridian St., Tallahassee, Florida 32399, and (850)487-0554

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

Substantial rewording of Rule 68B-31.001 follows. See Florida Administrative Code for present text.

68B-31.001 Northeast Florida Live Bait Shrimp Fishery; Purpose and Intent; Designation of Shrimp as Restricted Species; Recreational and Commercial Harvest on the Same Trip.

(1) The purpose and intent of this chapter is to protect and conserve Florida’s shrimp resources and to provide comprehensive, uniform management rules for shrimping to eliminate inconsistent, piecemeal local regulation of shrimp harvest.

(2) Shrimp are designated as a restricted species pursuant to Section 379.101(32), F.S.

(3) On a single trip, a person harvesting shrimp in or on Florida Waters may operate only as a live bait shrimp producer, or a food shrimp producer, or a recreational harvester.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 12-11-86, Amended 1-1-96, Formerly 46-31.001, Amended ______.

Substantial rewording of Rule 68B-31.002 follows. See Florida Administrative Code for present text.

68B-31.002 Definitions.

As used in Chapter 68B-31, F.A.C.:

(1) “Approved turtle excluder device” or “TED” means any device meeting the requirements established by NOAA Fisheries pursuant to 50 C.F.R. §223.207, as of May 1, 2024.

(2) “Bar measurement” means the mesh size of a net as measured by the distance from the center of a knot to the center of an adjacent knot.

(3) “Big Bend Region” means all Florida Waters of Jefferson, Taylor, Dixie, Levy, Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco counties, and all Florida Waters of Wakulla County east of the following described line:

Beginning at the St. Marks Lighthouse (30°04.429'N, 84°10.779'W), proceed southerly on a straight line to St. Marks River Lighted Buoy 1 (30°01.516'N, 84°10.580'W); thence, southerly in a straight line to a point on the Florida Waters boundary located at 29°51.963'N, 84°10.330'W.

(4) “Body,” as it relates to a part of a shrimp trawl, means the forward, larger portion of a trawl from the leading edge of the net to the cod end.

(5) “Brine box” means a container holding water that has a higher salinity than the the surrounding seawater.

(6) “Cod end,” also known as the “tail” or “bag” of a shrimp trawl, means the terminal cylinder of heavy webbing in which the catch is concentrated as the trawl is fished and which is closed at its rearmost extent by means of purse line or draw string.

(7) “Daylight hours” means the period beginning 1/2 hour before official sunrise and continuing through 1/2 hour after official sunset, each day.

(8) “Food shrimp producer” means a person harvesting shrimp for commercial purposes who is not a live bait shrimp producer, or is harvesting shrimp with a gear authorized for food shrimp producers for a specific region in Rules 68B-31.0061 through 68B-31.0065, F.A.C.

(9) “Frame net” means a net in the form of an elongated bag kept open by a rigid frame that is buoyed by floats and is not fished or dragged along the bottom.

(10) “Inland waters” means all creeks, rivers, bayous, bays, inlets, and canals.

(11) “Live bait shrimp producer” means any person harvesting shrimp for the purpose of delivering and selling that shrimp alive for use as bait.

(12) “Northeast Region” means all Florida Waters of Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, Flagler, Volusia, and Brevard counties, including all of the St. Johns River.

(13) “Northwest Region” means all Florida Waters of Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Gulf, and Franklin counties, and all Florida Waters of Wakulla County west of the Big Bend Region.

(14) “Perimeter” means the opening or entrance to a shrimp net or trawl. The perimeter so formed is measured as a continuous line from point to point along the line or frame forming the leading edge of the net.

(15) “Push net” means a mesh net or bag attached to the outer edges of a triangular or rectangular rigid frame with a handle attached.

(16) “Recreational harvester” means a person who is engaging in an activity regulated by Chapter 68B-31, F.A.C., who is not a live bait shrimp producer or a food shrimp producer.

(17) “Rigged for fishing” means the trawl is in the water, or is shackled, tied, or otherwise connected to a sled, door, board, or other device that spreads the net, or is connected to a tow rope, cable, pole, or extension, either on board or attached in any manner to the vessel.

(18) “Roller frame trawl” means a trawl with all of the following features:

(a) A rectangular rigid frame to keep the mouth open while being towed.

(b) The lower horizontal beam of the frame has rollers to allow the trawl to roll over the bottom and any obstructions while being towed.

(d) The trawl is towed by attaching a line or towing cable to a tongue located above or at the center of the upper horizontal beam of the frame.

(e) The trawl has no doors attached to keep the mouth of the trawl open.

(19) “Shrimp” means any decapod crustacean of the species Penaeus aztecus (brown shrimp), Penaeus brasiliensis (pinkspotted shrimp), Penaeus duorarum (pink shrimp), Penaeus setiferus (white shrimp), Rimapenaeus constrictus (roughneck shrimp), Rimapenaeus similis (roughback shrimp), and Xiphopenaeus kroyeri (seabob).

(20) “Skimmer trawl” means a trawl with the following features:

(a) A rigid “L”-shaped or triangular metal frame that is deployed amidship from either side of the harvesting vessel.

(b) The inboard portion of the frame is attached to the vessel, while the outboard portion runs along the seabed on a skid or “shoe.”

(c) The net mouth or perimeter is hung along the outer edges of the frame and kept open with a bullet weight holding the lower inboard corner of the net mouth on the bottom.

(d) A tickler chain may be attached below the lead line between the shoe and the bullet weight.

(e) The trawl is pushed alongside the harvesting vessel and generally fishes the entire water column.

(21) “Southeast Region” means all Florida Waters of Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, Miami-Dade, and Monroe counties.

(22) “Southwest Region” means all Florida Waters of Pinellas, Hillsborough, Manatee, Sarasota, Charlotte, Lee, and Collier counties.

(23) “Tampa Bay” means all waters of Tampa Bay east and north of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge (U.S. Highway 19 and Interstate 275).

(24) For purposes of this chapter and Section 379.246, F.S., “Tortugas Shrimp Beds” means all waters within the following geographic boundary: Begin at a point located at 25°52.904'N, 81°37.933'W (Coon Key Light in Collier County); thence proceed on a straight line to a point which is located at 24°50.700'N, 81°51.300'W; thence proceed on a straight line to a point located at 24°39.996'N, 82°26.650'W (New Grounds Shoals Light); thence proceed on a straight line to a point located at 24°34.727'N, 82°35.445'W (Rebecca Shoal Lighted Buoy 4); thence proceed on a straight line due east to a point located at 24°35.100'N, 82°13.200'W; thence proceed along the Florida Waters boundary to a point located at 24°27.200'N, 81°58.900'W; thence proceed due east to a point located at 24°27.349'N, 81°52.638'W (Sand Key Light); thence proceed northerly to a point located at 24°32.655'N, 81°48.309'W (Whitehead Spit); thence along the south and east meandered shoreline of the Florida Keys and the connecting viaducts between said keys to a point located at 25°01.120'N, 80°30.000'W; thence north until a point on the mainland at 25°12.090'N, 80°30.000'W; thence proceed west and north along the coast of the mainland of Florida until a point located due north of Coon Key Light in Collier County at 25°56.521'N, 81°37.933'W; thence due south to a point located at 25°52.904'N, 81°37.933'W (Coon Key Light), the point of beginning.

(25) “Try net” means a small otter trawl pulled for brief periods to test waters for the presence or size of shrimp or to determine fishing conditions.

(26) “Unconnected” means two trawls not joined or linked together. Except that two trawls, each of which is attached to a sled in lieu of the inner door of each trawl, shall be considered unconnected if a separation of at least 10 feet is maintained at all times during trawling.

(27) “Wing net” means a net in the form of an elongated bag kept open by a rigid frame that is attached to either side of a vessel, and is not towed behind a vessel or dragged along the bottom.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 12-11-86, Amended 1-1-96, Formerly 46-31.002, Amended .

Substantial rewording of Rule 68B-31.003 follows. See Florida Administrative Code for present text.

68B-31.003 Size Requirement; Exceptions Live Bait Shrimp Trawl Gear Specifications.

(1) Recreational Size Requirement – There is no size limit for shrimp applicable to recreational harvesters.

(2) Commercial Size Requirement –

(a) There is no minimum size requirement for shrimp applicable to live bait shrimp producers.

(b) A food shrimp producer may not possess shrimp in or on Florida Waters that do not meet the minimum size requirement of subparagraph 1., as determined following the procedures outlined in subparagraph 2.

1. All shrimp in possession of a food shrimp producer in or on Florida Waters must have an average count not to exceed 47 shrimp per pound with the heads on or 70 shrimp per pound with the heads off.

2. An average count shall be determined separately for the two portions of the catch consisting of heads-on and heads-off shrimp. The average count shall be determined by sampling the catch at five different locations selected randomly to be as widely separated within the catch or portion of the catch as practicable. Each sample shall consist of at least one pound of shrimp. The counts of each of these five samples shall be averaged to determine the average count for the catch or portion of the catch.

3. The minimum size requirement of subparagraph 1. does not apply to any seabob (Xiphopenaeus kroyeri) in possession of the harvester.

4. The minimum size requirement of subparagraph 1. does not apply in:

a. The Big Bend Region.

b. The Northeast Region.

c. Any of the waters of the Northwest Region east of the line formed by 85°13.50' West Longitude, near Indian Pass in Gulf County.

d. Any waters of the Southeast Region in Miami-Dade County.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 12-11-86, Amended 1-1-96, 6-3-96, Formerly 46-31.003, Amended 5-1-22, .

68B-31.0035 Trawls: Allowed Use; Maximum Square Footage of Mesh Area; Definitions.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, and Art. X, Sec. 16, Florida Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, and Art. X, Sec. 16, Florida Const. History–New 1-1-96, Amended 3-1-99, Formerly 46-31.0035, Amended 7-1-20, 5-1-22, Repealed .

Substantial rewording of Rule 68B-31.004 follows. See Florida Administrative Code for present text.

68B-31.004 Bag and Vessel Limits Trawl Gear Specifications: Turtle Excluder Devices Required; Exceptions; Definitions.

(1) Recreational Bag Limits –

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) for a portion of the Big Bend Region, a recreational harvester may not harvest or land in or from Florida Waters more than 5 gallons of shrimp, heads on, per day. A recreational harvester may not possess more than 5 gallons of shrimp, heads on, in or on Florida Waters, or on any dock, pier, bridge, beach, or other fishing site adjacent to such waters.

(b) Within the area described in subsection 68B-31.008(3), F.A.C., for a portion of the Big Bend Region, a recreational harvester may not harvest or land in or from the described area more than 2 gallons of shrimp, heads on, per day. A recreational harvester may not possess more than 2 gallons of shrimp, heads on, in or on Florida Waters of the described area, or on any dock, pier, bridge, beach, or other fishing site adjacent to such waters.

(2) Recreational Vessel Limit – The recreational harvesters aboard a vessel in or on Florida Waters may not collectively possess more than 5 gallons of shrimp, heads on. No more than 5 gallons of shrimp, heads on, may be landed from a vessel by recreational harvesters in a single day. This provision will not be construed to authorize harvest or possession of shrimp in excesss of the applicable bag limit established in subsection (1).

(3) A recreational harvester must land all shrimp harvested pursuant to this chapter in whole condition. The beheading of such shrimp before landing is prohibited.

(4) Commercial Bag and Vessel Limits.

(a) Live Bait Shrimp Producers –

1. Except as provided in subparagraph 2. for the specified waters of the Northeast Region, a live bait shrimp producer may not possess aboard a vessel in or on Florida Waters more than 5 gallons of dead shrimp, heads on.

2. In or on the inside waters of Nassau and Duval counties, a live bait shrimp producer may not possess aboard a vessel more than 1 gallon of dead shrimp, heads on.

3. A live bait shrimp producer must land all shrimp in whole condition. The beheading of such shrimp before landing is prohibited.

4. A live bait shrimp producer is not subject to a daily bag or vessel limit for live shrimp.

(b) Food Shrimp Producers –

1. Except as provided in subparagraph 2., a food shrimp producer is not subject to a daily bag or vessel limit for shrimp.

2. In or on Florida Waters within the Tortugas Shrimp Beds, as established in paragraph 68B-31.008(2)(b), F.A.C., a food shrimp producer may not possess more than 5 gallons of dead shrimp, heads on or off, simultaneously with the deployment of any shrimp trawl from the vessel.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 6-11-90, Amended 1-1-92, 3-16-93, 1-1-96, 3-1-99, Formerly 46-31.004, Amended 1-19-10, .

68B-31.0045 Trawl Gear Specifications: Bycatch Reduction Devices.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 6-3-96, Amended 8-17-98, Formerly 46-31.0045, Amended 1-19-10, Repealed .

Substantial rewording of Rule 68B-31.005 follows. See Florida Administrative Code for present text.

68B-31.005 Seasons; Open and Closed Periods Purpose and Intent; Repeal of Certain General and Special Acts; Designation of Shrimp as Restriction Species.

(1) In or on all inside waters of Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, Putnam, Flagler, and Clay counties:

(a) A person may not harvest shrimp beginning on April 1 and continuing through May 31 each year.

(b) Notwithstanding the prohibitions contained in Sections 379.247(4)(c) and (7)(a), F.S.,

1. A food shrimp producer may not harvest shrimp on Saturdays or Sundays.

2. A food shrimp producer may only harvest shrimp during daylight hours.

3. Except for the Friday after Thanksgiving, a food shrimp producer may not harvest shrimp on legal state holidays. For the purposes of this subsection, “legal state holidays” means the paid holidays observed by all state agencies pursuant to Section 110.117(1), F.S.

(2) Florida East Coast Shrimp Bed Food Shrimp Closed Season.

(a) For purposes of this rule, “Florida East Coast Shrimp Bed” means all Florida Waters of Nassau, Duval, Clay, Putnam, St. Johns, Flagler, Volusia, Seminole, Brevard, Indian River, and St. Lucie counties.

(b) Except as provided in paragraph (c), a food shrimp producer may not harvest shrimp beginning April 1 and continuing through May 31 each year from any waters of the Florida East Coast Shrimp Bed.

(c) Paragraph (b) shall not apply to any person operating as a food shrimp producer during this period in or on Florida Waters east of a line extending from a point located at 30°26.658'N, 81°20.950'W, to a point located at 30°21.469'N, 81°20.325'W.

(3) Miami-Dade County Food Shrimp Production Season and Weekly Closures.

(a)1. A food shrimp producer may harvest shrimp in or from Florida Waters within Miami-Dade County beginning on November 1 each year and continuing through May 31 of the following year, subject to the weekly closures specified in paragraph (b).

2. A food shrimp producer may not harvest shrimp in or from Florida Waters within Miami-Dade County beginning June 1 and continuing through October 31 each year.

(b) During the open season specified in subparagraph (a)1., a food shrimp producer may not harvest shrimp in or from Florida Waters within Miami-Dade County during the period each week beginning at 6:00 a.m. on Saturday and ending at 6:00 a.m. on Sunday.

(4) Big Bend Region. A food shrimp producer may not harvest shrimp in or from the Big Bend Region beginning on July 1 and continuing through August 31 of each year.

(5) Specified waters of Franklin County.

(a)1. Beginning on September 15 and continuing through December 31 each year, a person may not harvest shrimp in or from Florida Waters within the portion of St. George Sound described in subparagraph 2.

2. In St. George Sound, beginning at Royal Bluff, 29°47.601'N, 84°44.977'W; thence southwesterly to St. George Sound Light 8, located at 29°44.567'N, 84°45.765'W; thence along the south boundary of the Intracoastal Waterway Channel to St. George Sound Buoy 21, located at 29°43.362'N, 84°48.479'W; thence northwesterly to a point located at 29°44.952'N, 84°51.112'W; thence easterly along the shoreline of St. George Sound to the point of beginning, including all waters of Yents Bayou within the closure area.

(b)1. Beginning on March 1 and continuing through May 31 each year, a person may not harvest shrimp in or from Florida Waters within the portion of Apalachicola Bay described in subparagraph 2.

2. In Apalachicola Bay, beginning at Green Point, 29°42.526'N, 85°02.155'W; thence southwesterly to St. Vincent Point, 29°40.427'N, 85°04.490'W; thence easterly to Two Mile Channel Light 1, located at 29°41.530'N, 85°0.756'W; thence southeasterly to Apalachicola River Entrance Light 2, located at 29°40.168'N, 84°58.127'W; thence northerly along the eastern boundary of the Intracoastal Waterway Channel to the western landfall of the John Gorrie Memorial Bridge (U.S. Highway 98); thence westerly along the shoreline of Apalachicola Bay to the point of beginning.

(c) Beginning on July 15 and continuing through September 14 each year, a person may not harvest shrimp in or from any Florida Waters of Apalachicola Bay and St. Vincent Sound in Franklin County between the hours of official sunrise and official sunset.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., Chapter 83-134, Laws of Fla., as amended by Chapter 84-121, Laws of Fla. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., Chapter 83-134, Laws of Fla., as amended by Chapter 84-121, Laws of Fla. History–New 1-1-92, Amended 9-30-96, Formerly 46-31.005, Amended 12-2-99, .

Substantial rewording of Rule 68B-31.006 follows. See Florida Administrative Code for present text.

68B-31.006 Allowable Gear and Harvest Methods; Prohibited Gear; Turtle Excluder Devices, Exceptions; Bycatch Reduction Devices Definitions.

(1) Recreational Harvesters –

(a) Except as provided in paragraph 68B-31.0061(1)(b), F.A.C., for a portion of Volusia County, or except as provided in paragraph 68B-31.0064(1)(b), F.A.C., for a portion of the Big Bend Region, a recreational harvester may harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from Florida Waters only by or with the use of the following gear:

1. Landing or dip net with an opening no larger than 96 inches around the perimeter.

2. Cast net with a stretched length (the distance from the horn at the center of the net, with the net gathered and pulled taut, to the lead line) no greater than 14 feet.

3. Push net. A push net may only be pushed or dragged across the bottom by a person wading.

4. Frame net.

a. Except as provided in paragraph 68B-31.0062(1)(b), F.A.C., for Miami-Dade County, one frame net with an opening no larger than 16 feet around the perimeter.

b. A frame net may only be deployed from a vessel or from a structure other than an operational bridge or causeway or catwalk attached to such bridge or causeway.

5. Shrimp traps not exceeding 36 inches in length, 24 inches in width, and 12 inches in height, or a volume of 6 cubic feet. A shrimp trap may not contain external or unattached wings, weirs or other devices intended to funnel shrimp to the trap.

a. A shrimp trap meeting these specifications, regardless of configuration, shall not be considered a pound net.

b. The user’s name and address must be securely affixed to each shrimp trap.

c. A person may not use more than four shrimp traps at any one time.

d. A shrimp trap on or attached to beaches, causeways, seawalls, bridges, or any other structures open for use by the public must be attended at all times by the recreational harvester whose name is affixed to the trap.

6. Beach or haul seine with a mesh area no larger than 500 square feet.

(b) Baiting – A recreational harvester may use a cast net in conjunction with nonmetal poles to bait shrimp if such use is in compliance with the following restrictions:

1. A person may not set more than five poles at any one time.

2. Each pole may not exceed one inch in diameter.

3. Poles must be driven into the bottom, set no closer than 10 yards apart, and the distance between the first and last pole shall not exceed 50 yards.

4. Poles may only be set, fished, and retrieved during daylight hours. All poles must be removed each day by 1/2 hour after official sunset.

5. Each pole must be marked with white reflective tape.

6. No pole shall be set within 50 yards of any dock, pier, public boat landing or ramp, seawall, jetty, or bridge.

7. Poles shall be tended at all times. The term “tended” means that the harvester is within 100 yards of the nearest pole at all times.

(c) A recreational harvester may not harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp with gear not expressly permitted in subsection (1).

(2) Commercial Harvesters –

(a) Mesh Area for Trawls. No person shall use in nearshore and inshore Florida Waters any trawl with a net or bag containing more than 500 square feet of mesh area. The mesh area of a trawl shall be calculated as a cone using the maximum circumference of the net mouth to derive the radius, and the maximum length of the net with meshes open from the center of the headrope at the net mouth to the tail end of the net to derive the slant height.

(b) Live Bait Shrimp Producers.

1. Except as provided in Rule 68B-31.0061, F.A.C., for the Northeast Region, or as provided in paragraph 68B-31.0064(4)(a), F.A.C., for a portion of the Big Bend Region, a live bait shrimp producer may harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from Florida Waters only by or with the use of a roller frame trawl meeting the following specifications:

a. Neither the upper nor lower horizontal beam on a roller frame trawl may be greater than 16 feet in length.

b. The vertical bars shielding the trawl opening may not be spaced more than 3 inches apart.

c. No more than two such trawls, unconnected, may be towed by a single vessel at any time.

d. No such trawl shall be larger in mesh area than specified by paragraph (2)(a).

2. Mesh size requirements. Any trawl used by a live bait shrimp producer must meet the following mesh size requirements:

a. In the body of the net, the mesh size may not be less than 5/8 inch bar measurement.

b. In the cod end, the mesh size may not be less than 1/2 inch bar measurement.

3. A live bait shrimp producer may not harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp with gear or methods that are not expressly permitted in paragraph (2)(b), or Rules 68B-31.0061 or 68B-31.0064, F.A.C.

(c) Food Shrimp Producers. A food shrimp producer may harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from Florida Waters only by or with the use of the gear or methods specified herein and as specified in Rules 68B-31.0061 through 68B-31.0065, F.A.C.

1. Trawls:

a. A food shrimp producer may use trawls for the directed harvest of shrimp in all Florida Waters seaward of the nearshore and inshore Florida Waters of the Northeast Region, Southeast Region, Southwest Region, and Northwest Region.

b. A food shrimp producer harvesting shrimp in or on Florida Waters seaward of nearshore and inshore Florida Waters where the use of otter trawls is allowed may use a single try net meeting the specifications of subparagraph (2)(c)5.

2. Brine box. A food shrimp producer may not use a brine box to separate shrimp from other species. This does not prohibit a food shrimp producer from using a brine box to rapidly freeze shrimp that have been manually separated from bycatch and bagged in preparation for placement in cold storage aboard a vessel. The possession of any species other than shrimp within a brine box aboard a vessel shall constitute a violation of this subparagraph.

3. Roller Frame Trawl Specifications. In areas where a food shrimp producer is allowed to use a roller frame trawl on a regional basis pursuant to Rules 68B-31.0061 through 68B-31.0065, F.A.C., such roller frame trawl must meet the following specifications:

a. Neither the upper nor lower horizontal beam on a roller frame trawl may be greater than 16 feet in length.

b. The vertical bars shielding the trawl opening may not be spaced more than 3 inches apart.

c. No such trawl shall be larger in mesh area than specified by paragraph (2)(a).

d. Such trawl must meet applicable regional mesh size requirements established in Rules 68B-31.0061 through 68B-31.0065, F.A.C.

4. Otter Trawl Specifications. In areas where a food shrimp producer is allowed to use an otter trawl on a regional basis pursuant to Rules 68B-31.0061 through 68B-31.0065, F.A.C., such otter trawl must meet the following specificiations:

a. The perimeter around the leading edge of the net may not exceed 66 feet.

b. No such trawl shall be larger in mesh area than specified by paragraph (2)(a).

c. Such trawl must meet applicable regional mesh size requirements established in Rules 68B-31.0061 through 68B-31.0065, F.A.C.

d. Each otter trawl must have a TED installed meeting the requirements of subsection (3).

e. A person may not use any otter trawl, or possess any otter trawl that is rigged for fishing, that does not have a bycatch reduction device installed meeting the requirements of subsection (4).

5. Try Net Specifications. In areas where a food shrimp producer is allowed to use a try net, such try net must meet the following specifications:

a. Within nearshore and inshore Florida Waters where a food shrimp producer is allowed to use a try net on a regional basis pursuant to Rules 68B-31.0061 through 68B-31.0065, F.A.C., such try net must meet the following specifications:

(I) The headrope may not be greater than 10 feet in length.

(II) The perimeter around the leading edge of the net may not be greater than 30 feet.

(III) No such try net shall be larger in mesh area than specified by paragraph (2)(a).

(IV) Such try net must meet applicable regional mesh size requirements established in Rules 68B-31.0061 through 68B-31.0065, F.A.C.

b. In or on Florida Waters seaward of nearshore and inshore Florida Waters, a try net must meet the following specifications:

(I) The headrope may not be greater than 20 feet in length.

(II) The perimeter around the leading edge of the net may not be greater than 60 feet.

(III) Such try net must meet applicable regional mesh size requirements established in Rules 68B-31.0061 through 68B-31.0065, F.A.C.

6. A food shrimp producer may not harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp with gear or methods that are not expressly permitted in paragraph (2)(c).

(3) Turtle Excluder Devices –

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b):

1. No person may use in or on Florida Waters any trawl that does not have a TED installed therein.

2. A person may not possess aboard any vessel in or on Florida Waters any trawl rigged for fishing that does not have a TED installed therein.

(b) The requirements in paragraph (a) do not apply to the following gear:

1. A single try net meeting the requirements of subparagraph 68B-31.006(2)(c)5., F.A.C.

2. A roller frame trawl meeting the specifications of subparagraph 68B-31.006(2)(b)1. or subparagraph 68B-31.006(2)(c)3., F.A.C.

3. A trawl being used as part of a public or private experimentation pursuant to authorization issued by the Assistant Administrator, Southeast Region, NOAA Fisheries, as provided in 50 C.F.R. § 223.207(e)(2), as of May 1, 2024. Written authorization shall be maintained aboard the vessel with such a trawl at all times.

4. A trawl authorized for use in the directed harvest of calico scallops by Rule 68B-53.006, F.A.C.

(c) A person may not rig or alter a TED installed in any trawl in any manner so as to render the TED nonfunctioning or ineffective in excluding sea turtles from the trawl.

(4) Bycatch Reduction Devices – In or on Florida Waters where the use of a bycatch reduction device (BRD) is required pursuant to this chapter, a person may not use any trawl or possess any trawl that is rigged for fishing aboard any vessel if such trawl does not have a BRD meeting the requirements of this subsection installed therein.

(a) A person may not rig or alter a BRD installed in any trawl in any manner so as to render the BRD nonfunctioning or ineffective in excluding species other than shrimp from the trawl.

(b) A person may only use one of the following types of BRDs to comply with the requirements of this subsection:

1. BRDs currently certified or currently provisionally certified by NOAA Fisheries as defined in 50 C.F.R. §622 Appendix D, as of May 1, 2024, and pursuant to 50 C.F.R. §622.53, as of May 1, 2024, and 50 C.F.R. §622.207, as of May 1, 2024.

2. The Florida Finfish Excluder, as described in this subparagraph, meets the BRD requirements of this subsection only in or on nearshore and inshore Florida Waters. The Florida Finfish Excluder device shall consist of at least one rigid exit opening frame made of no smaller than 1/4-inch steel or aluminum rod sewn into each trawl. Each exit opening frame shall be at least 12 inches in length and have an apex of three bars pointing forward to orient the exit opening in the direction of the mouth of the trawl. The opening thus created shall be in the shape of a parallelogram or oval and no smaller than 36 square inches in area and 5 inches across the opening in the shortest dimension. The opening formed by each frame shall be no further forward in the cod end than 70% of the distance between the draw string (tie-off rings) and the beginning of the tail bag (excluding any extension). The frame shall be installed on the top side of the cod end, no more than 15 meshes to the side of the centerline.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 1-1-92, Amended 3-16-93, 11-29-93, 10-3-94, 6-3-96, 6-1-99, Formerly 46-31.006, Amended 12-2-99, 3-1-05, 12-15-19, 5-1-22, .

68B-31.0061 Northeast Region: Allowable Gear and Harvest Methods; Prohibited Gear.

Each person harvesting or attempting to harvest shrimp in the Northeast Region shall comply with the requirements specified in this rule.

(1) Recreational Harvesters.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) for a portion of Volusia County, a recreational harvester may not harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from Florida Waters of the Northeast Region by or with the use of gear or methods not expressly permitted in subsection 68B-31.006(1), F.A.C.

(b) A recreational harvester may not harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from the inside waters of Volusia County from a vessel under power.

(2) Live Bait Shrimp Producers.

(a) Except as provided in paragraphs (b) and (c), a live bait shrimp producer may harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from the Northeast Region only by or with the use of the following gear:

1. No more than two roller frame trawls meeting the specifications of subparagraph 68B-31.006(2)(b)1., F.A.C.

2. An otter trawl meeting the following specifications:

a. The opening or entrance to the trawl net shall be formed and limited by attachment of the net mesh to line of not less than 1/8 inch diameter. Such line shall be securely attached so as to form a continuous perimeter around the leading edge of the net.

b. Attachment of the net mesh to such line shall be made at intervals of not more than 12 inches along the entire length of the line.

c. The perimeter so formed shall not exceed 60 feet, measured from point to point along the line forming the leading edge of the net.

d. No webbing, mesh, panels, or similar devices shall be used in conjunction with the trawl net in any manner so as to precede or enlarge the opening or entrance to the net, or have the effect of diverting saltwater products into the opening or entrance to the net.

e. No such trawl shall be larger in mesh area than specified by paragraph 68B-31.006(2)(a), F.A.C.

f. The trawl must meet the mesh size requirements established in subparagraph 68B-31.006(2)(b)2., F.A.C.

(b) In or on the nearshore and inshore Florida Waters of Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, and Flagler counties, a live bait shrimp producer may harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp only by or with the use of one trawl meeting the following specifications:

1. The opening or entrance to the trawl net shall be formed and limited by attachment of the net mesh to line of not less than 1/8 inch diameter. Such line shall be securely attached so as to form a continuous perimeter around the leading edge of the net.

2. Attachment of the net mesh to such line shall be made at intervals of not more than 12 inches along the entire length of the line.

3. The perimeter so formed shall not exceed 60 feet, measured from point to point along the line forming the leading edge of the net.

4. No webbing, mesh, panels, or similar devices shall be used in conjunction with the trawl net in any manner so as to precede or enlarge the opening or entrance to the net, or have the effect of diverting saltwater products into the opening or entrance to the net.

5. No such trawl shall be larger in mesh area than specified by paragraph 68B-31.006(2)(a), F.A.C.

6. The trawl must meet the mesh size requirements established in subparagraph 68B-31.006(2)(b)2., F.A.C.

7. A person may not use any otter trawl, or possess any otter trawl that is rigged for fishing aboard any vessel, in or on the nearshore and inshore Florida Waters of Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, and Flagler counties, if such otter trawl does not have a bycatch reduction device (BRD) meeting the requirements of subsection 68B-31.006(4), F.A.C., installed therein.

1. A live bait shrimp producer may harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from the inside waters of Volusia County only by or with the use of the following gear:

a. Wing nets, each with a perimeter no greater than 26 feet. Each wing net shall be no larger in mesh area than specified by paragraph 68B-31.006(2)(a), F.A.C.

b. Landing or dip nets.

c. Push nets.

d. Cast nets.

2. Beginning on March 1 and continuing through June 30 of each year, a live bait shrimp producer may not harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from the inside waters of Volusia County with wing nets.

3. A live bait shrimp producer may not harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from the inside waters of Volusia County from a vessel under power.

(d) All commercial trawling in the St. Johns River proper shall be restricted to the area north of the Acosta Bridge (State Road 13) in Jacksonville and at least 100 yards from the nearest shoreline.

(e) Within all inland waters of Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, and Flagler counties, a live bait shrimp producer may only use a trawl during daylight hours.

(3) Food Shrimp Producers.

(a) In the nearshore and inshore Florida Waters of the Northeast Region, a food shrimp producer may harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp only by or with the use of the following gear:

1. No more than two unconnected roller frame trawls meeting the specifications of subparagraph 68B-31.006(2)(c)3., F.A.C.

2. No more than two unconnected otter trawls, each meeting the specifications of subparagraph 68B-31.006(2)(c)4., F.A.C.

3. No more than one try net meeting the specifications of subparagraph 68B-31.006(2)(c)5., F.A.C . Such try net shall be considered one of the two unconnected otter trawls allowed for food shrimp production pursuant to subparagraph 2.

4. All commercial trawling in the St. Johns River proper shall be restricted to the area north of the Acosta Bridge (State Road 13) in Jacksonville and at least 100 yards from the nearest shoreline.

(b) Within all inland waters of Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, and Flagler counties, a food shrimp producer may only use a trawl during daylight hours.

1. In the inside waters of the Northeast Region, a food shrimp producer may not use any trawl that has a mesh size less than 7/8 inch bar measurement in the body of the net and less than 3/4 inch bar measurement in the cod end.

2. In any trawl with a rigid TED, the section of netting surrounding the TED may not have a mesh size smaller than 1/2 inch bar measurement and may not be more than 50 meshes in total length.

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

68B-31.0062 Southeast Region: Allowable Gear and Harvest Methods; Prohibited Gear; Seasonal and Spatial Trawling Restrictions.

Each person harvesting or attempting to harvest shrimp in the Southeast Region shall comply with the requirements specified in this rule.

(1) Recreational Harvesters.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) for Miami-Dade County, a recreational harvester may not harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from Florida Waters of the Southeast Region by or with the use of gear or methods not expressly permitted in subsection 68B-31.006(1), F.A.C.

(b) A recreational harvester may not harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from Florida Waters of Miami-Dade County by or with the use of a frame net.

(2) Live Bait Shrimp Producers. A live bait shrimp producer may not harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from Florida Waters of the Southeast Region by or with the use of gear or methods not expressly permitted in paragraph 68B-31.006(2)(b), F.A.C.

(3) Food Shrimp Producers. In all nearshore and inshore Florida Waters of the Southeast Region, a food shrimp producer may harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp only by or with the use of the following gear:

(a) Wing nets meeting the following specifications:

1. A wing net may not have an opening larger than 28 feet around the perimeter.

2. No more than two unconnected wing nets may be attached to or fished from a single vessel.

3. A wing net may not be fished by towing or dragging it over the bottom.

4. Each wing net shall be no larger in mesh area than specified by paragraph 68B-31.006(2)(a), F.A.C.

(b) A frame net, deployed from a vessel, meeting the following specifications:

1. A frame net may not have an opening larger than 28 feet around the perimeter.

2. No more than one frame net may be fished from a single vessel.

3. A frame net may not be fished from a vessel also using wing nets.

4. A frame net may not be fished by towing or dragging it across the bottom.

5. Each frame net shall be no larger in mesh area than specified by paragraph 68B-31.006(2)(a), F.A.C.

(c) In all waters of the Southeast Region outside nearshore and inshore Florida Waters, a food shrimp producer may not use any otter trawl, or possess any otter trawl that is rigged for fishing aboard any vessel, if such trawl does not have a bycatch reduction device (BRD) installed meeting the requirements of subsection 68B-31.006(4), F.A.C.

(4) Seasonal and Spatial Trawling Restrictions.

(a) Beginning October 1 and continuing through May 31 of the following year, a person may not use any trawl within Florida Waters of the Gulf of Mexico east of a continuous line drawn from Point U through points V, W, X, Y, Z, and AA:

Point	North Latitude	West Longitude
U	24°37.06'	81°36.75'
V	24°49.30'	81°46.40'
W	24°54.50'	81°50.50'
X	25°09.00'	81°47.60'
Y	26°00.00'	82°04.00'
Z	26°16.00'	81°58.50'
AA	26°16.00'	81°49.57'

(b) Biscayne National Park – As provided in Rule 68B-7.008, F.A.C., a person may not use a trawl within the No-Trawl Zones of Biscayne National Park.

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

68B-31.0063 Southwest Region: Allowable Gear and Harvest Methods; Prohibited Gear; Seasonal and Spatial Trawling Restrictions.

Each person harvesting or attempting to harvest shrimp in the Southwest Region shall comply with the requirements specified in this rule.

(1) Recreational Harvesters. A recreational harvester may not harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from Florida Waters of the Southwest Region by or with the use of gear or methods not expressly permitted in subsection 68B-31.006(1), F.A.C.

(2) Live Bait Shrimp Producers. A live bait shrimp producer may not harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from Florida Waters of the Southwest Region by or with the use of gear or methods not expressly permitted in paragraph 68B-31.006(2)(b), F.A.C.

(3) Food Shrimp Producers. Within the nearshore and inshore Florida Waters of the Southwest Region, a food shrimp producer may harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp only by or with the following gear:

(a) No more than two unconnected roller frame trawls meeting the specifications of subparagraph 68B-31.006(2)(c)3., F.A.C.

(b) Otter trawls meeting the specifications of subparagraph 68B-31.006(2)(c)4., F.A.C., within specified waters of the Southwest Region, as follows:

1. In all inside waters of the Southwest Region, except as provided in subparagraph 2. for Tampa Bay, a food shrimp producer may use:

a. No more than one otter trawl.

b. No more than one try net meeting the specifications of subparagraph 68B-31.006(2)(c)5., F.A.C.

2. In all waters of Tampa Bay, a food shrimp producer may use:

a. No more than two unconnected otter trawls.

b. No more than one try net meeting the specifications of subparagraph 68B-31.006(2)(c)5., F.A.C. Such try net shall be considered one of the two unconnected otter trawls allowed for food shrimp production pursuant to sub- subparagraph 2.a.

3. In waters of the Southwest Region within three nautical miles seaward of the coastline, a food shrimp producer may use:

a. No more than two unconnected otter trawls.

(4) Mesh size requirements.

(a) In the inside waters of the Southwest Region, a food shrimp producer may not use any trawl that has a mesh size less than 7/8 inch bar measurement in the body of the net and less than 3/4 inch bar measurement in the cod end.

(b) In any trawl with a rigid TED, the section of netting surrounding the TED may not have a mesh size smaller than 5/8 inch bar measurement and may not be more than 50 meshes in total length.

(5) Seasonal and Spatial Trawling Restrictions.

(a) Beginning October 1 and continuing through May 31 of the following year, a food shrimp producer may not use any trawl within the following described area of Florida Waters off the southwest coast of Florida:

Beginning at Point H in the Boca Grande ship channel; thence easterly to the northernmost extent of Cayo Costa; thence following the coastline southwesterly, southerly and easterly along the shorelines of and along the COLREGS Demarcation Lines across the passes between Cayo Costa, North Captiva Island, Captiva Island, Sanibel Island, Estero Island, Lovers Key, Big Hickory Island, Little Hickory Island, and Wiggins Island to 26°16.00'N, 81°49.57'W (Point AA); thence due west to Point Z, and following a continuous line from Point Z through points A, B, C, D, E, F and G; thence northwesterly to the point of beginning, Point H. Points Z, A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, and AA are expressed as follows by latitude and longitude:

Point	North Latitude	West Longitude
H	26°41.78'	82°17.91'
AA	26°16.00'	81°49.57'
Z	26°16.00'	81°58.50'
A	26°17.23'	81°55.55'
B	26°22.31'	81°59.00'
C	26°20.25'	82°04.39'
D	26°22.00'	82°10.79'
E	26°26.05'	82°15.55'
F	26°34.40'	82°18.90'
G	26°38.28'	82°16.92'

(b) Beginning October 1 and continuing through May 31 of the following year, a person may not use any trawl within Florida Waters of the Gulf of Mexico east of the line established in paragraph 68B-31.0062(4)(a), F.A.C.

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

68B-31.0064 Big Bend Region: Allowable Gear and Harvest Methods; Prohibited Gear; Seasonal and Spatial Trawling Restrictions.

Each person harvesting or attempting to harvest shrimp in the Big Bend Region shall comply with the requirements specified in this rule.

(1) Recreational Harvesters.

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b) for a portion of the Big Bend Region, a recreational harvester may not harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from Florida Waters of the Big Bend Region by or with the use of gear or methods not expressly permitted in subsection 68B-31.006(1), F.A.C.

(b) Within the area described in subsection 68B-31.008(3), F.A.C., for a portion of the Big Bend Region, a recreational harvester may harvest shrimp only by or with the following gear:

1. Landing or dip net with an opening no larger than 96 inches around the perimeter.

2. Cast net with a stretched length (the distance from the horn at the center of the net, with the net gathered and pulled taut, to the lead line) no greater than 14 feet.

(2) Live Bait Shrimp Producers. Except as provided in subparagraph (4)(a)2. for a portion of Taylor County, a live bait shrimp producer may not harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from Florida Waters of the Big Bend Region by or with the use of gear or methods not expressly permitted in paragraph 68B-31.006(2)(b), F.A.C.

(3) Food Shrimp Producers. A food shrimp producer may harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from Florida Waters of the Big Bend Region only by or with the use of the following gear:

(a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), a food shrimp producer may use no more than four unconnected roller frame trawls meeting the specifications of subsection 68B-31.006(2)(c)3., F.A.C.

(b) In the nearshore and inshore Florida Waters of the Big Bend Region, a food shrimp producer may use no more than two unconnected roller frame trawls meeting the specifications of subsection 68B-31.006(2)(c)3., F.A.C.

(c) In all waters of the Big Bend Region, a food shrimp producer may not use any trawl that has a mesh size less than 3/4 inch bar measurement in the body of the net and less than 5/8 inch bar measurement in the cod end.

(4) Seasonal and Spatial Trawling Restrictions.

(a) Except as provided in subparagraph 2., a person may not use any trawl within the following described area off Taylor County:

1. Beginning at a point on the shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico north of Steinhatchee River Light 47 (29°40.267'N, 83°23.320'W); thence south to Steinhatchee River Light 47 (29°40.234'N, 83°23.320'W); thence westerly along the line of navigational buoys marking the north side of said channel to Steinhatchee River Light 1 marking the outer extent of said channel (29°39.388'N, 83°27.377'W); thence westerly to a point located at 29°40.045'N, 83°35.218'W; thence northwesterly to a point located at 29°53.253'N, 83°53.01'W; thence north-northwesterly to Gamble Point near the mouth of the Aucilla River (30°04.643'N, 83°59.373'W); thence southeasterly along the shoreline along the Gulf of Mexico to the point of beginning.

2. A live bait shrimp producer may use a trawl or trawls within the area described in subparagraph 1. if each of the following conditions is met:

a. The live bait shrimp producer is harvesting live bait shrimp using no more than two roller frame trawls.

b. Neither the upper or lower horizontal beam on a roller frame trawl may be greater than 15 feet in length.

(b) Citrus-Hernando Shrimping and Trapping Closed Areas and Seasons – Food shrimp producers and live bait shrimp producers are subject to the seasonal and spatial trawling restrictions established in Rule 68B-38.001, F.A.C.

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

68B-31.0065 Northwest Region: Allowable Gear and Harvest Methods; Prohibited Gear.

Each person harvesting or attempting to harvest shrimp in the Northwest Region shall comply with the requirements specified in this rule.

(1) Recreational Harvesters. A recreational harvester may not harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from Florida Waters of the Northwest Region by or with the use of gear or methods not expressly permitted in subsection 68B-31.006(1), F.A.C.

(2) Live Bait Shrimp Producers. A live bait shrimp producer may not harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from Florida Waters of the Northwest Region by or with the use of gear or methods not expressly permitted in paragraph 68B-31.006(2)(b), F.A.C.

(3) Food Shrimp Producers. In or on the nearshore and inshore Florida Waters of the Northwest Region, a food shrimp producer may harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp only by or with the use of the following gear or methods:

(a) No more than two unconnected roller frame trawls meeting the specifications of subparagraph 68B-31.006(2)(c)3., F.A.C.

(b) No more than two unconnected otter trawls meeting the specifications of subparagraph 68B-31.006(2)(c)4., F.A.C.

(c) No more than one try net meeting the specifications of subparagraph 68B-31.006(2)(c)5., F.A.C. Such try net shall be considered one of the two unconnected otter trawls allowed for food shrimp production pursuant to paragraph (b).

(d) No more than two unconnected skimmer trawls meeting the following specifications:

1. The perimeter around the leading edge of any skimmer trawl may not exceed 56 feet.

2. No such skimmer trawl shall be larger in mesh area than specified by paragraph 68B-31.006(2)(a), F.A.C.

3. Each skimmer trawl must have a TED installed meeting the requirements of subsection 68B-31.006(3), F.A.C.

4. A person may not use any skimmer trawl, or possess any skimmer trawl that is rigged for fishing, if such trawl does not have a bycatch reduction device (BRD) installed meeting the requirements of subsection 68B-31.006(4), F.A.C.

(e) Mesh size requirements.

1. In the inside waters of the Northwest Region, a food shrimp producer may not use any trawl that has a mesh size less than 3/4 inch bar measurement in the body of the net and less than 5/8 inch bar measurement in the cod end.

2. In any trawl with a rigid TED, the section of netting surrounding the TED may not have a mesh size smaller than 1/2 inch bar measurement and may not be more than 50 meshes in total length.

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

68B-31.0066 Landing and Transport Requirements; Live Well and Storage Requirements.

(1) Live Bait Shrimp Producers.

(a) Landing and Transport Requirements –

1. A live bait shrimp producer must constantly maintain any shrimp harvested as live bait in wet live storage condition to minimize mortality.

2. All such shrimp harvested shall be directly and expeditiously transported from the harvesting vessel to the onshore facilities on the premises of a licensed saltwater products dealer. The dealer’s facilities shall be outfitted appropriately with equipment functioning to maintain the quality of shrimp delivered in a live, healthy condition.

3. Shrimp so delivered shall be placed in a tank of clean saline, aerated water at that facility and shall be maintained alive throughout all handling and storage processes. Equipment to maintain live bait shrimp during harvest pursuant to this Chapter and during subsequent transport and storage shall, at a minimum, meet the requirements of paragraph (b).

4. Each person harvesting shrimp in or from Florida Waters as a live bait shrimp producer shall land such shrimp from the harvesting vessel. The transfer of such shrimp to another vessel while in or on Florida Waters is prohibited.

(b) Live Well Requirements.

1. Vessel requirements – Each vessel operated by a live bait shrimp producer that is engaged in the harvest of live bait shrimp in or on Florida Waters must be equipped with a watertight tank containing a minimum of 16 cubic feet of continuously aerated saline water during such harvest and during the transport of any live bait shrimp.

2. Vehicle Requirements – Each vehicle used to transport live bait shrimp harvested by a live bait shrimp producer must be equipped with a watertight tank containing a minimum of 32 cubic feet of continuously aerated saline water during the transport and holding of such live bait shrimp on the vehicle.

(c) Storage Requirements – Each facility used to store live bait shrimp harvested by a live bait shrimp producer, on the premises of a licensed wholesale or retail saltwater products dealer, must be equipped with a watertight tank containing a minimum of 32 cubic feet of continuously aerated saline water during the storage of such live bait shrimp.

(2) Food Shrimp Producers – Transport and live well requirements for live food shrimp.

(a) Live shrimp harvested for the purpose of being delivered and sold alive as food for human consumption are not subject to the icing or refrigeration requirements in subsection 68E-27.022(5), F.A.C. This provision shall not be construed to exempt dead shrimp from the requirements in subsection 68E-27.022(5), F.A.C.

(b) Shrimp harvested for sale alive as food pursuant to this Chapter must be constantly maintained in wet live storage condition to minimize mortality. All such shrimp harvested by a food shrimp producer must be expeditiously transported from the harvesting vessel to onshore facilities on the premises of a licensed saltwater products dealer. The dealer’s facilities shall be outfitted appropriately with equipment functioning to maintain the quality of shrimp delivered in a live, healthy condition. Shrimp so delivered must be placed in a tank of clean, continuously aerated saline water at that facility and shall be maintained alive throughout all handling and storage processes. Equipment to maintain live food shrimp during harvest pursuant to this Chapter and during subsequent transport and storage must, at a minimum, meet the following requirements:

1. Vessel live well requirements – Each vessel engaged in the harvest of shrimp for sale alive as food pursuant to this Chapter must be equipped with a watertight tank containing a minimum of 16 cubic feet of continuously aerated saline water during such harvest and during transport of any live food shrimp.

2. Vehicle live well requirements – Each vehicle used to transport shrimp from the harvesting vessel to a facility operated by a licensed saltwater products dealer for sale alive as food harvested pursuant to this Chapter must be equipped with a watertight tank containing a minimum of 32 cubic feet of continuously aerated saline water during transport and holding in the vehicle.

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

68B-31.0067 Seasonal East Coast Night Trawling Prohibited.

Beginning September 1 and continuing through May 31 of the following year, a person harvesting or attempting to harvest shrimp by or with the use of a trawl may only use such trawl during daylight hours in or on Florida Waters of Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, Flagler, Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Martin, Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties.

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

Substantial rewording of Rule 68B-31.007 follows. See F.A.C. for present text.

68B-31.007 Sale and Purchase Requirements Statewide Recreational Shrimping Restrictions.

(1) If one or more licenses are required to harvest shrimp within a specific region or area pursuant to Rule 68B-31.009, F.A.C., such license(s) is also required for the harvester to sell or offer for sale shrimp harvested under such required license(s).

(2) A wholesale dealer, as defined in Section 379.362(1)(a), F.S., may not purchase shrimp from a harvester required to be licensed purusant to Rule 68B-31.009, F.A.C., unless such harvester presents all such required licenses prior to the sale.

(3) A live bait shrimp producer may not sell or offer for sale shrimp as anything other than bait.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 1-1-92, Amended 1-1-96, 6-3-96, Formerly 46-31.007, Amended 12-2-99, 3-1-05, 5-1-22, .

Substantial rewording of Rule 68B-31.008 follows. See Florida Administrative Code for present text.

68B-31.008 Year-round Closed Areas Statewide Live Bait Shrimp Production Restrictions.

(1) Northeast Region –

(a) A person may not harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from any tributary of the following named waterbodies in Nassau and Duval counties. Shrimp harvest is allowed in each waterbody proper.

1. St. Marys River.

2. Bells River.

3. Jolly River.

4. Amelia River.

5. Jackson Creek.

6. Nassau River.

7. Back River.

8. South Amelia River.

9. Lanceford Creek.

10. Tiger Creek and Tiger Basin, easterly of 81°30.133' West Longitude.

11. North fork of Alligator Creek.

(b) A food shrimp producer may not harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from the inside waters of Volusia County.

(2) Southeast Region –

(a)1. A food shrimp producer may not harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from any waters within the area described in subparagraph 2. (a portion of Monroe County):

2. Begin at a point located at 24°41.900'N, 81°40.500'W near Snipe Point in Monroe County; thence northwesterly approximately 9 nautical miles to a point located at 24°49.231'N, 81°46.318'W; thence proceed easterly and northerly along the Florida Waters boundary to a point located at 26°00.000'N, 81°56.500'W; thence east to a point located at 26°00.000'N, 81°44.100'W; thence southerly and easterly following the coastline to its intersection with the southbound right-of-way of the U.S. Highway 1 bridge in Long Sound (25°14.184'N, 80°26.016'W); thence southerly and westerly along the southbound right-of-way of U.S. Highway 1 to a point on Saddlebunch Key located at 24°37.100'N, 81°36.700'W; thence northwesterly on a straight line to the point of beginning.

(b) Tortugas Shrimp Beds.

1. A food shrimp producer may not harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from the Tortugas Shrimp Beds, except as may be specifically authorized by federal regulations for the portion of the area lying in federal waters.

2. Within Florida Waters of the Tortugas Shrimp Beds, possession aboard a vessel of more than 5 gallons of dead shrimp, heads on or off, simultaneously with the deployment of any shrimp trawl from the vessel shall constitute a violation of this subsection.

(3) Big Bend Region. A food shrimp producer or live bait shrimp producer may not harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from the areas of Wakulla, Jefferson, Taylor, Dixie, Levy, Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco counties landward of the line described as:

Beginning at Bailey’s Bluff in Pasco County (Point A); thence northerly to Point B; thence northeasterly to Point C; thence northerly to Point D; thence northeasterly to Point E; thence northerly to Point F; thence northwesterly to Point G; thence northerly to Point H; thence northwesterly to Point I; thence northerly to Point J; thence northwesterly to Point K; thence southwesterly to Point L; thence northwesterly to Point M; thence northerly to Point N; thence northwesterly to Point O; thence northerly to Point P; thence northwesterly to Point Q; thence northerly to Point R; thence northwesterly to Point S; thence southwesterly to St. Marks River Lighted Buoy 1 (Point T); thence northerly to the St. Marks Lighthouse (Point U). Points A through U are expressed as follows by longitude and latitude:

	North	West
Point	Latitude	Longitude
A	28°12.33'	82°46.97'
B	28°16.68'	82°47.21'
C	28°18.28'	82°45.68'
D	28°26.93'	82°45.95'
E	28°28.43'	82°44.49'
F	28°43.53'	82°45.22'
G	28°44.38'	82°46.71'
H	28°57.91'	82°47.53'
I	28°59.41'	82°50.41'
J	29°03.28'	82°50.66'
K	29°06.91'	82°57.81'
L	29°03.38'	83°01.42'
M	29°07.30'	83°08.78'
N	29°22.98'	83°15.89'
O	29°29.58'	83°26.72'
P	29°38.25'	83°26.66'
Q	29°43.36'	83°34.39'
R	29°52.40'	83°40.11'
S	30°00.04'	84°07.63'
T	30°01.52'	84°10.58'
U	30°04.43'	84°10.78'

(4) Northwest Region.

(a) A person may not harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from all waters of Ochlockonee Bay and the Ochlockonee River and its tributaries in Franklin and Wakulla counties west of the U.S. Highway 98 Bridge across Ochlockonee Bay and all waters of Chaires Creek south of its mouth on Ochlockonee Bay in Franklin County, year-round.

(b) A person may not harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from the following described waters of Franklin County, year-round:

1. All inland waters north of the John Gorrie Bridge (U.S. Highway 98) in Apalachicola Bay.

2. All inland waters of the Carrabelle River and its tributaries upriver of a straight line beginning at 29°50.170'N, 84°39.780'W and ending at 29°50.170'N, 84°39.570'W.

3. All waters of Sheepshead Bayou internal to St. Vincent Island.

4. All waters of Big Bayou adjacent to and internal to St. Vincent Island south of a straight line beginning at 29°40.897'N, 85°10.012'W and ending at 29°41.126'N, 85°08.184'W.

(c) A person may not harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from all waters of Indian Lagoon and St. Vincent Sound in Gulf County, year-round.

(d) A food shrimp producer or live bait shrimp producer may not harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from all waters of Apalachee Bay and all tributaries, bays, or bayous in Wakulla County landward of the following described line:

Beginning at the St. Marks Lighthouse, located at 30°04.429'N, 84°10.779'W, proceed southerly on a straight line to St. Marks River Lighted Buoy 1, located at 30°01.516'N, 84°10.580'W; thence westerly to Shell Point Channel Daybeacon 1, located at 30°02.833'N, 84°17.183'W; thence southwesterly to a point located at 30°01.670'N, 84°20.240'W; thence southwesterly to a point located at 29°59.900'N, 84°21.800'W; thence southeasterly to a point at 29°58.600'N, 84°20.230'W, at the COLREGS Demarcation Line; thence southerly along the COLREGS Demarcation Line to the coastline at Ochlockonee Point.

(e) A food shrimp producer may not harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from the following waters of Okaloosa County:

1. All waters of Five Mile Bayou west of the State Road 85 bridge crossing said bayou.

2. All waters of Chula Vista Bayou, Don’s Bayou, Little Bayou, and Garnier Bayou north of the State Road 85 bridge crossing Garnier Bayou.

(f) A food shrimp producer may not harvest or attempt to harvest shrimp in or from the portion of Santa Rosa Sound lying in Escambia, Santa Rosa, and Okaloosa counties west of the Brooks Bridge (U.S. Highway 98) in Okaloosa County and east of the Bob Sikes Bridge (County Road 399) in Santa Rosa and Escambia counties.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 1-1-92, Amended 10-3-94, 1-1-96, Formerly 46-31.008, Amended 12-2-99, 2-28-02, 3-1-05, 5-1-22, .

Substantial rewording of Rule 68B-31.009 follows. See Florida Administrative Code for present text.

68B-31.009 Commercial License Requirements Statewide Food Shrimp Production Restrictions.

(1) Live Bait Shrimp Producers –

(a) A person harvesting or attempting to harvest shrimp in or from Florida Waters as a live bait shrimp producer must possess a valid saltwater products license with a restricted species endorsement.

(b) In addition to the license requirements provided in paragraph (a), a person harvesting or attempting to harvest shrimp within the inland waters of Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, and Flagler counties as a live bait shrimp producer must also possess a valid Commercial Live Shrimp Production License issued as provided in Section 379.247, F.S.

(2) Food Shrimp Producers –

(a) A person harvesting or attempting to harvest shrimp in or from Florida Waters as a food shrimp producer must possess a valid saltwater products license with a restricted species endorsement.

(b) In addition to the license requirements provided in paragraph (a), a person harvesting or attempting to harvest shrimp as a food shrimp producer within the inland waters of Nassau, Duval, St. Johns, and Flagler counties must also possess a valid Commercial Food Shrimp Production License, issued pursuant to Section 379.247, F.S.

1. The number of Commercial Food Shrimp Production Licenses issued by the Commission in any one year shall be limited to those active in the base year, 1976, and renewed annually since 1976.

2. Renewal requirement – Failure to renew or transfer the Commercial Food Shrimp Production License by June 30 of each year will result in forfeiture of the license.

3. Transferability – Notwithstanding the provisions contained in Section 379.247(4)(d), F.S., a Commercial Food Shrimp Production License is transferable upon approval of the Commission under the following conditions:

a. A person who wishes to transfer a Commercial Food Shrimp Production License must submit a notarized Commercial Food Shrimp Production License Transfer Form that has been signed by both parties to the transaction and postmarked and sent by United States Postal Service certified mail or hand delivered within 72 hours of the final notarized signature, to the Commission between May 1 and the last day of February of the following year. Requests received by the Commission before May 1 or postmarked after the last day of February of the current license year will not be processed. The Commercial Food Shrimp Production License Transfer Form (Form DMF-FSP 1000 (May 2024)), is incorporated herein by reference and is available at http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-11133.

b. A Commercial Food Shrimp Production License may not be transferred or renewed until all license fees, surcharges, and any other outstanding fees, fines, or penalties owed to the Commission by either party to the transaction have been paid in full. The seller must surrender the license to the Commission to complete the transfer.

c. In the event of the death or permanent disability of a person holding a Commercial Food Shrimp Production License, the license may be transferred by the license holder or the executor of the estate to a member of his or her immediate family within 12 months of the date of death or disability and upon payment of all outstanding fees, fines, or penalties owed to the Commission in full.

(c) In addition to the license requirements provided in paragraph (a), a person harvesting or attempting to harvest shrimp as a food shrimp producer in or on any waters of Tampa Bay must also possess a valid Tampa Bay Dead Shrimp Production Permit issued pursuant to this paragraph.

1. No permit will be issued and no permit will be renewed except those permits issued in the base year of 1992.

2. A Tampa Bay Dead Shrimp Production Permit will be renewed and issued pursuant to the following:

a. Requests for renewal of a Tampa Bay Dead Shrimp Production Permit must be submitted to the Commission in writing prior to June 30 each year.

b. A food shrimp producer harvesting or attempting to harvest shrimp in Tampa Bay must have one valid Tampa Bay Dead Shrimp Production Permit for each vessel used for such harvest.

c. A Tampa Bay Dead Shrimp Production Permit may only be renewed by an individual who is the principal owner of the vessel or of the business entity owning the vessel and utilizing the permit. No more than three Tampa Bay Dead Shrimp Production Permits shall be issued to any individual.

d. A Tampa Bay Dead Shrimp Production Permit will not be renewed without payment of the permit fee as provided in Section 379.369, F.S.

e. The number of permits issued in any one year shall not exceed the number of permits issued in 1992.

f. A Tampa Bay Dead Shrimp Production Permit is not transferable by any method, including devise or inheritance, and such permit may be renewed only by the initial holder thereof.

3. All permits not renewed pursuant to sub-subparagraph 2.c. by June 30 each year for any reason shall expire and shall not be renewable under any circumstances.

4. A food shrimp producer operating any vessel to harvest shrimp in or from Tampa Bay must possess while in or on Tampa Bay and must produce, upon the request of any duly authorized law enforcement officer, a current Tampa Bay Dead Shrimp Production Permit issued for such vessel.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 1-1-92, Amended 11-29-93, 1-1-96, 7-16-96, Formerly 46-31.009, Amended 12-2-99, 3-1-05, 11-12-18, 12-15-19, 5-1-22, .

68B-31.010 Northwest Region Food Shrimp Production Gear Specifications.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 1-1-92, Amended 1-1-96, 8-17-98, 6-1-99, Formerly 46-31.010, Amended 5-2-01, 1-1-03, Repealed .

68B-31.011 Big Bend Region Food Shrimp Production Gear Specifications.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 1-1-92, Amended 1-1-96, Formerly 46-31.011, Repealed .

68B-31.012 Southwest Region Food Shrimp Production Gear Specifications.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 1-1-92, Amended 1-1-96, 8-17-98, Formerly 46-31.012, Repealed .

68B-31.013 Southeast Region Food Shrimp Production Gear Specifications.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 1-1-92, Amended 1-1-96, 6-3-96, 8-17-98, Formerly 46-31.013, Repealed .

68B-31.0135 Southeast Region: Biscayne Bay (Dade County) Food Shrimp Production Season and Weekly Closures.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 12-2-99, Amended 12-21-00, Repealed .

68B-31.0136 Southeast Region: Food Shrimp Production Closed Area (Portion of Monroe County).

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 3-1-05, Repealed

68B-31.014 Northeast Region Food Shrimp Production Gear Specifications.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 1-1-92, Amended 1-1-96, 6-3-96, Formerly 46-31.014, Repealed .

68B-31.0155 Northeast Florida Shrimping: Closed Season; Allowable Harvest Days; Commercial Food Shrimp Production License and Transferability; Closed Areas.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 10-3-94, Formerly 46-31.0155, Amended 12-15-19, Repealed .

68B-31.0156 Florida East Coast Shrimp Bed: Repeal of Section 370.156, Florida Statutes; Seasonal Food Shrimp Production Closure; Exception; Definition.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., Chapter 83-134, Laws of Fla., as amended by Chapter 84-121, Laws of Fla. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., Chapter 83-134, Laws of Fla., as amended by Chapter 84-121, Laws of Fla. History–New 4-18-95, Formerly 46-31.0156, Amended 12-5-17, Repealed .

68B-31.0157 East Coast: Night Trawling Prohibited; Exception.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 3-1-05, Repealed .

68B-31.016 Tortugas Shrimp Beds: Repeal of Section 370.151(2), F.S. (1991); Redescription of Tortugas Shrimp Beds; Closed Areas.

68B-31.017 Big Bend Region Closed Areas; Seasonal Closures.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 11-29-93, Formerly 46-31.017, Amended 7-9-02, 5-1-22, Repealed .

68B-31.018 Northwest Region Closed Areas; Repealed Special Acts.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 7-16-96, Formerly 46-31.018, Amended 3-1-05, 4-13-17, 5-1-22, Repealed .

68B-31.019 Regulation of Shrimp Fishing in Tampa Bay; License Requirements.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 3-1-05, Repealed

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Jessica McCawley, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries Management, 620 S. Meridian St., Tallahassee, Florida 32399, and (850)487-0554

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: May 02, 2024

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: June 24, 2024

Document Information

Comments Open:: 7/11/2024
Summary:: These proposed rule amendments would reorganize and clarify regulations related to shrimping in Florida Waters. The changes in these amendments are part of Marine Fisheries Rule Cleanup, a long-term, ongoing effort to clarify, streamline, and standardize marine fisheries rules to make regulations easier to read, understand, and enforce, without changing the effect or intent of these regulations or how they are applied. Current shrimp regulations lack an easy-to-follow organizational ...
Purpose:: The purpose of this rulemaking is to consolidate, reorganize, clarify, streamline, and standardize Florida’s shrimp regulations into chapter 68B-31, F.A.C., to make these regulations easier to read, understand, and enforce. This rulemaking is part of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s ongoing, long-term Marine Fisheries Rule Cleanup project. The effect of this rulemaking would be to make clarifying or non-substantive rule updates to implement the standardized ...
Rulemaking Authority:: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution
Law:: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution
Related Rules: (15): 68B-31.001. Northeast Florida Live Bait Shrimp Fishery; Purpose and Intent; 68B-31.002. Definitions; 68B-31.003. Live Bait Shrimp Trawl Gear Specifications; 68B-31.0035. Trawls: Allowed Use; Maximum Square Footage of Mesh Area; Definitions; 68B-31.004. Trawl Gear Specifications: Turtle Excluder Devices Required; Exceptions; Definitions; More ...