The Commission will consider a proposal for the limited, highly regulated recreational harvest of goliath grouper. The effect of the rule amendments would be to establish a limited-entry special use opportunity for recreational ....

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Marine Fisheries

RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:

68B-14.0035Size Limits: Amberjacks, Black Sea Bass, Gray Triggerfish, Grouper, Hogfish, Red Porgy, Snapper

68B-14.00355Size Limits for Importation and Sale

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

68B-14.0039Recreational Grouper and Tilefish Seasons

68B-14.005Regulation and Prohibition of Certain Harvesting Gear: Allowable Gear, Incidental Bycatch, Violation

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The Commission will consider a proposal for the limited, highly regulated recreational harvest of goliath grouper. The effect of the rule amendments would be to establish a limited-entry special use opportunity for recreational harvest of goliath grouper with associated regulations such as a bag limit, area and seasonal closures, size limits, and gear regulations.

SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Subject areas addressed in the rule development notice include recreational license and tagging requirements, a bag limit, area and seasonal closures, size limits, gear restrictions and requirements, and post-harvest requirements.

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.