The Commission is considering changes to state regulations that create a Gulf Reef Fish Data Reporting System, which would require private recreational anglers to report their intention to harvest or attempt to harvest the certain reef fish species in the Gulf of Mexico, excluding Monroe County. The purpose and intent of this rule is to improve recreational harvest data collection capabilities for these reef fish species by identifying the population of anglers fishing for these species. The proposed Gulf Reef Fish Data Reporting System would be mandatory for private recreational anglers fishing from a boat off Florida’s Gulf coast (excluding Monroe County) that intend to harvest, attempt to harvest, or possess one or more of the following reef fish species: red snapper, gag, greater amberjack, lesser amberjack, banded rudderfish, almaco jack, red grouper, black grouper, vermilion snapper, and gray triggerfish. Children under 16 years of age, as well as anglers fishing from for-hire vessels or anglers fishing from a state-licensed recreational fishing vessel would be exempt from this requirement. Additionally, Commission employees harvesting for Commission business and any person otherwise authorized by a permit issued by the Commission to harvest for educational or scientific purposes would be exempt from reporting requirements. Monroe County would be excluded because anglers fishing for grouper in state waters of Monroe County follow Atlantic grouper regulations. Additionally, these rule changes would remove the definition of recreational harvester from the Commission’s reef fish rule. This definition conflicts with the definition of recreational harvester in the General Definitions rule (68B-2.001, FAC), which applies to all FWC marine fisheries rules in Division 68B, FAC. The effect of this rule amendment is current recreational harvest data collection efforts for these Gulf reef fish species would be enhanced. These species represent the majority of offshore reef fish harvest by Florida Gulf coast anglers. This data reporting system would be used to collect more accurate, precise, and timely catch and effort estimates for key recreational reef fish fisheries off Florida’s Gulf coast.