Home Tournaments Calendar Weather Merchandise Sponsors

Go Back   Spearboard.com - The World's Largest Spearfishing Diving Boating Social Media Forum > General Topics (Non-regional) > Spearfishing Regulations

Spearfishing Regulations This area is for the topic of existing or proposed Spearfishing Regulations.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Rate Thread Display Modes
Old 01-19-2013, 09:25 AM   #1
njdiver
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Jersey shore
Posts: 815
Public Input-Final Rule Game/Sport Fish Status and Designation Feb 13-14, 2013

Florida Fish and Wildlife
Conservation Commission


February, 2013 Commission Meeting

Time:
8:30am each day

Dates:
February 13 - 14, 2013

Place:
SeaWorld Park
7007 SeaWorld Drive
Orlando, FL 32821

This meeting is open to the public

All interested individuals may speak at workshops or meetings of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (Commission) within the guidelines established by the Commission. To ensure the public's opportunity to be heard and the orderly conduct of the meeting, the Chairman reserves the right to establish a time for adjournment of the workshop or meeting, to limit the time for speakers, and to limit the time allotted for specific agenda items.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this meeting should notify the agency at least five calendar days before the meeting by calling 850-488-6411. Contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service at 800-955-8771 (TDD) or 800-955-8770 (voice) if you are hearing or speech impaired.

Agenda items listed under headings other than "Rules" may be moved by the Chairman to different days of the meeting to accommodate scheduling problems.

The meeting may include fact-finding field trips to Commission-managed areas or facilities; or to other areas to learn about management, and enforcement activities.

Typically, the Chairman may ask staff and the public to work through lunch on either day. Please plan accordingly.

If any person decides to challenge any decision with respect to any matter considered at the meeting, he or she may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which includes testimony and evidence upon which the challenge is based.

For information on lodging and restaurants within the Orlando area, you may call the Chamber of Commerce at (407) 835-2500 or visit their website at Orlando.org

Agenda

(Snip)

A. Final Rules

1. Saltwater Game fish and Sport fish Designations - The proposed final rule would create saltwater game fish and sport fish designations for the Commission’s rules. Creating such designations would increase the status for some premier fish species found in Florida waters and help Florida market its unique fishing opportunities. The proposed final rule will include components of each designation. 68B-2.010 NPR Game Fish

a. 68B-2.010 Saltwater Game Fish and Sport Fish Designations - The proposed final rule would create a new subsection that states the intent of the designations, which is to conserve premier recreational fish species in Florida and enhance the marketing capacity for Florida’s recreational fishing opportunities. The proposed final rule would create a saltwater game fish designation, the components of which would be no commercial harvest or possession, sale or purchase. The proposed final rule would also create an elite designation for saltwater sport fish, the components of which would be no harvest or possession recreationally or commercially and no purchase or sale.

(Snip)

http://myfwc.com/about/commission/co...ary/13/agenda/


Commission considering creating saltwater game fish, sport fish designations

News Release

Wednesday, December 05, 2012

Media contact: Amanda Nalley, 850-410-4943


(Back to Commission meeting news)

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) discussed the possibility of creating saltwater game fish and sport fish designations at its Dec. 5 Commission meeting in Apalachicola. After public comment from 18 people and the Commissioners’ discussion, the FWC decided to approve the proposed draft rule about the designation. The Commission will possibly make a final decision on this measure at its February meeting in Orlando.

While Florida has many recreationally important species, it does not have an official saltwater game fish or sport fish designation.

Reasons for considering these changes include helping highlight and protect some of Florida’s premier recreational fish and encouraging anglers to adopt voluntary conservation practices such as catch-and-release. If adopted, these changes could lead to healthier fish populations and help Florida market its unique fishing opportunities to residents and visitors.

“I think it’s an opportunity for this Commission to create a lasting legacy,” said Chairman Kenneth Wright. “I think it will send a signal to fishermen around the world that we are a world-class fishing destination.”

At the meeting, staff presented the Commission with potential game fish and sport fish definitions and described how fish within these designations could be managed.

Suggested parameters for game fish would include no commercial harvest, possession or sale.

The sport fish designation would offer a higher level of protection than game fish by making selected species catch-and-release only, including no recreational harvest as well as no commercial harvest, possession or sale.

Before moving forward with the proposal, the Commission decided to remove a parameter that would have limited gear to hook-and-line only for both designations. They also removed another parameter that was proposed for the game fish designation only that would have required captain and crew of for-hire vessels such as charter boats to have a bag limit of zero and not be allowed to take fish home for themselves.

Which fish species will be included under the game fish or sport fish designations will not be decided at the February Commission meeting. If game fish and sport fish designations are approved, staff will return to future meetings with suggestions for potential fish species candidates.

Recreational fishing in Florida has a high cultural and economic value, and protecting Florida’s premier recreational fish is a priority of the Commission.

Public comment can be sent to Marine@MyFWC.com. Staff members are also hosting webinars on Dec. 10 and 12 to gather public comment. These meetings will be from 6 to 8 p.m. To participate in the webinar, visit http://fwc.adobeconnect.com/mfm/. There is a cap of 100 participants that can be logged into the online webinar at once. This is on a first-come basis. To give everyone a chance to participate, please do not attend both webinar sessions. Each webinar will cover the same topic.

Voice-only access is also available for those without computer access. For questions about webinar access, please contact Carly Canion at 850-617-9627 or Carly.Canion@MyFWC.com. Learn more by visiting MyFWC.com/Fishing – click on “Saltwater Fishing,” “Rulemaking” and “Workshops.”

http://myfwc.com/news/news-releases/...05/game-sport/



NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE:

http://myfwc.com/media/2472806/4B168...PRGameFish.pdf


Online survey:

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/JG2XCTR
__________________
Rather be diving!
njdiver is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-19-2013, 09:39 AM   #2
njdiver
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: Jersey shore
Posts: 815
Re: Public Input-Final Rule Game/Sport Fish Status and Designation Feb 13-14, 2013

Notice of Proposed Rule

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Marine Fisheries

RULE NO.: RULE TITLE:

68B-2.010: Saltwater Game Fish and Sport Fish Designations

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the proposed rule is to increase public awareness of the need for extensive conservation action in order to prevent premier recreational fish from declining and to encourage voluntary conservation practices. Additionally, these designations are intended to increase Florida’s ability to market the unique and diverse recreational fishing opportunities that exist around the state. The effect of the proposed rule is to create two designations, game fish and sport fish, for species to be named in the future.

SUMMARY: The proposed rule will create game fish and sport fish designations. Both the game fish and sport fish designations would include a prohibition on commercial harvest, possession and sale. The sport fish designation would also prohibit recreational harvest and possession, making sport fish species catch and release only. The proposed rule only creates the designations; species will be listed as a game fish or as a sport fish in the future.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the agency.
The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: The proposed rule creates designations but does not name species as either a game fish or a sport fish. Therefore there will be no regulatory costs.
Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: Article IV, Section 9, Florida Constitution.

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
DATE AND TIME: During the Commission’s regular meeting on February 13-14, 2013, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., each day.

PLACE: SeaWorld Park, 7007 SeaWorld Drive, Orlando, FL 32821
Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 5 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: The ADA Coordinator, at (850)488-6411. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Jessica McCawley, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries Management, 2590 Executive Center Circle East, Suite 201, Tallahassee, Florida 32301, and (850) 487-0554

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

68B-2 General

68B-2.010 Saltwater Game Fish and Sport Fish Designations

(1) Intent – The game fish and sport fish designations are intended to increase public awareness of the need for extensive conservation action in order to prevent premier recreational fish from declining and to encourage voluntary conservation practices. Additionally, these designations are intended to increase Florida’s ability to market the unique and diverse recreational fishing opportunities that exist around the state.

(2) In order to elevate the status of premier recreational fish in Florida, the “game fish” designation includes the following provisions, unless otherwise authorized by the Commission:

(a) Commercial Harvest Prohibited – A person may not harvest, possess, or land a game fish for commercial purposes.

(b) Purchase and Sale Prohibited – A person may not purchase or sell a game fish.

(3) In order to elevate the status of premier recreational fish in Florida by making them catch and release only fisheries, the “sport fish” designation includes the following provisions, unless otherwise authorized by the Commission:

(a) A person may not harvest or unnecessarily destroy a sport fish.
(b) Commercial Harvest Prohibited – A person may not harvest, possess, or land a sport fish for commercial purposes.

(c) Purchase and Sale Prohibited – A person may not purchase or sell a sport fish.

PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: April 1, 2013

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9. History–New, 4-1-13.

BE ADVISED THAT THESE PROPOSED RULES MAY BE FILED FOR ADOPTION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE FOLLOWING THE COMMISSION MEETING AT WHICH THEY ARE CONSIDERED IF THE RULES ARE NOT CHANGED. IF CHANGED, THE RULES MAY BE FILED AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AFTER PUBLICATION OF A NOTICE OF CHANGE IN THE F.A.R.

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Jessica McCawley, Director, Division of Marine Fisheries Management, 2590 Executive Center Circle East, Suite 201, Tallahassee, Florida 32301, (850) 487-0554

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: December 05, 2012

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: December 28, 2012

https://www.flrules.org/gateway/noti...sp?ID=12490416

Publish Date

1/14/2013 Vol. 39/09 https://www.flrules.org/BigDoc/View_Faw.asp?IID=1272

https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ruleNo.asp?id=68B-2.010
__________________
Rather be diving!
njdiver is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes Rate This Thread
Rate This Thread:

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:05 PM.


The World's Largest Spearfishing Diving Social Media Forum Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright ©2002 - 2014 Spearboard.com