The purpose of this rule amendment is to modify the regulations relating to the qualification criteria for the Restricted Species Endorsement program (RS) to remove language referencing outdated provisions, clarify and update portions of the endorsement program, and incorporate changes to qualification criteria that were requested by the industry or will improve operation of the endorsement program. The RS program helps ensure the sustainability of the state’s most important commercially harvested species. It was created by the Florida Legislature in coordination with the commercial fishing industry as a means to professionalize their fishery and ensure that fish harvested under Florida’s commercial licenses are indeed being harvested for commercial purposes and are ultimately ending up in the seafood market. The proposed changes include clarifying income verification requirements, providing an additional avenue for individuals to certify disablement, increasing the amount of time family members have to apply for a new RS after an RS holder dies or becomes disabled, and changes intended to limit loopholes in the vessel purchase exception . The effects of the proposed rule amendment will be to clarify the language creating the endorsement program, provide increased flexibility for individuals qualifying based on certain exemptions, and close loopholes within the vessel purchase exception.