The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is clarifying possession restrictions within the closed fishing season for Atlantic blueline tilefish, Atlantic hogfish, and Gulf red snapper. Presently, only harvest is prohibited during the closed season for these three species in state waters, resulting in state regulations being inconsistent with federal regulations. Additionally, with the exception of these species, all other reef fish species in rule 68B-14 with a closed fishing season prohibit both the harvest and possession of that species during its closed season. The purpose of these rule changes is to improve compliance and aid in enforcement by providing consistency between state and federal regulations. The effect of the rule amendments would prohibit recreational harvesters from possessing blueline tilefish and hogfish in Atlantic state waters and red snapper in Gulf state waters during the species respective closed seasons.