Summary
Rule 68B-42.001 (Purpose and Intent; Designation of Restricted Species; Definition of “Marine Life Species”) would be amended to remove sand perch, dwarf sand perch and unicorn filefish from the definition of “marine life species”, effectively deregulating these species. Rule 68B-42.002 would be modified to clarify the reefs created by tube worms of the Family Sabellariidae are included in the definition of “live rock”, and thus harvest of these reefs is prohibited. Rule 68B-42.004 would be amended by applying the existing size limits for commercial harvest of angelfish and butterfly fish species to recreational harvesters and to clarify the current angelfish size limits also apply to hybrid forms. Rules 68B-42.005 (Recreational Bag Limits) and 68B-42.006 (Commercial Season, Harvest Limits) would be amended to reduce the recreational and commercial bag limits for the giant Caribbean sea anemone (Genus Condylactis) to zero (0). The Commission would consider reinstating bag limits after a 3-year closure. Rule 68B-42.009 would be amended to include black corals in the current prohibition on marine corals.