The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Commission) is considering changes to state shark regulations based on a requirement by the Atlantic States Marine Fisheries Commission (ASMFC) and recent federal changes. The purpose of these rule amendments is to increase the recreational shortfin mako size limit from 54 to 83 inches fork length and clarify that commercial harvest is prohibited in state waters. ASMFC recently adopted a requirement for states, including Florida, to increase recreational minimum size limits for shortfin mako sharks to match the federal size limit, or to implement an equivalent conservation measure, by Jan. 1, 2020. To meet ASMFC’s requirement, this rule amendment would increase the shortfin mako recreational minimum size limit from 54 to 83 inches FL. To commercially harvest sharks in state waters, all commercial vessels must have a federal shark limited-access permit and the only allowable gear type is hook and line. Under federal regulations, commercial harvest of shortfin mako is only allowed when the shark is brought to the boat dead in the longline or gillnet fishery. Because those gear are prohibited in state waters, and because all commercial vessels must have the federal limited-access permit, no commercial harvest of shortfin mako is allowed in Florida state waters. Therefore, this rule amendment would clarify that commercial harvest of shortfin mako is prohibited in Florida state waters. Additionally, this rule amendment will also include minor, non-substantive technical changes to current rule language.