The purpose of this rule amendment for state waters within the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary is related to fishing regulations found in 68B-6, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.), at Western Dry Rocks. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Commission) is establishing a seasonal closed area to protect multi-species fish spawning aggregations thereby sustaining and potentially enhancing fishery populations. Western Dry Rocks is a spawning aggregation site for many recreationally and commercially important fish species, including permit, mutton snapper, yellowtail snapper, and gray snapper. The effect of the rule amendment would seasonally prohibit fishing within a one-square-mile area at Western Dry Rocks, resulting in reduced fishing pressure on fish when they are aggregated for spawning at the site.