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Florida Administrative Code (Last Updated: October 28, 2024) |
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68. Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission |
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68B. Marine Fisheries |
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68B-44. Sharks And Rays |
1(1) Size Limits –
5(a) Shortfin mako –
91. A recreational harvester may not harvest or land from Florida Waters a shortfin mako that is less than 83 inches fork length. Except as provided in subparagraph (1)(a)2., a recreational harvester may not possess in or on Florida Waters a shortfin mako that is less than 83 inches fork length.
602. 61The possession limit established in subparagraph (1)(a)1. will not apply to shortfin mako lawfully harvested in federal waters by recreational harvesters 82when such sharks are transported directly through Florida Waters with gear appropriately stowed. Transit shall be direct and continuous from the place where lawful harvest occurred to the place where the vessel is regularly docked, moored, or otherwise stored.
121(b) Except as provided in paragraph (1)(a), a person may not harvest or land from Florida Waters, or possess in or on Florida Waters, a shark that is less than 54 inches fork length, with the exception of the following species, for which there shall be no minimum size limit:
1711. Atlantic sharpnose shark.
1752. Blacknose shark.
1783. Blacktip shark.
1814. Bonnethead.
1835. 184Finetooth shark.
1866. 187Smoothhound sharks.
189(2) Landed in Whole Condition Requirement – A person harvesting a shark shall land each shark in whole condition. A person may not possess in or on Florida Waters, 218on any public or private fishing pier, or on a bridge or catwalk attached to a bridge from which fishing is allowed, 240a shark that has been beheaded, sliced, divided, filleted, ground, skinned, finned, or had the caudal fin (tail) removed. This provision will not be construed to prohibit the evisceration (gutting) of a shark or 274slicing the base of the caudal fin to bleed the carcass as long as the caudal fin remains attached.
293(3) Possession of Separated Shark Fins –
300(a) A person may not possess in or on Florida Waters a shark fin that has been separated from a shark.
321(b) A person may not land a shark fin that has been separated from a shark.
337(4) The size limits and landing in whole condition requirement of this rule will not apply to sharks lawfully harvested commercially in federal waters when such sharks are transported directly through Florida Waters with gear appropriately stowed. Transit shall be direct, continuous and expeditious from the place where lawful harvest occurred to the place where the vessel is regularly docked, moored, or otherwise stored or to the place of the licensed wholesale dealer where the catch is to be sold. For the purpose of this section appropriately stowed means a longline may be left on the drum if all gangions and hooks are disconnected and stowed below deck. Hooks cannot be baited. All buoys must be disconnected from the gear; however, buoys may remain on deck. A rod and reel must be stowed securely. Terminal gear (i.e., hooks, leaders, sinkers, flashers, or baits) must be disconnected and stowed separately from the fishing apparatus. Sinkers must be disconnected from the down rigger and stowed separately. Gillnets must be 504rolled, folded, or otherwise properly and securely stowed in sealed containers or compartments so as to make their immediate use as fishing implements impracticable.
528Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History–New 4-8-92, Amended 1-1-98, Formerly 46-44.003, Amended 1-19-10, 7-1-19, 1-1-20.
