Florida Administrative Code

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., Chapter 83-134, Laws of Fla., as amended by Chapter 84-121, Laws of Fla. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const., Chapter 83-134, Laws of Fla., as amended by Chapter 84-121, Laws of Fla. History-New 1-1-92, Amended 3-1-95, 7…

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History-New 11-29-93, Formerly 46-31.017, Amended 7-9-02, 5-1-22, Repealed 9-19-24.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History-New 7-16-96, Formerly 46-31.018, Amended 3-1-05, 4-13-17, 5-1-22, Repealed 9-19-24.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History-New 3-1-05, Repealed 9-19-24.

The purpose and intent of this rule is to manage tarpon as a catch and release only fishery in recognition and in honor of the rich cultural heritage of sport fishing for tarpon in Florida waters. Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, …

As used in chapter 68B-32, F.A.C.: (1) "Professional fishing guide" means the captain or operator of a boat or vessel who is licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard to carry paying passengers and whose passengers pay a fee to fish for tarpon. (2) "Snagging" or "snatch hooking" means the…

There are no size limits for tarpon as tarpon is a catch and release fishery. Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History-New 11-30-88, Amended 11-1-89, 10-1-90, 12-4-91, 11-26-92, 11-29-93, 1-1-95, 1-1-96, 11-27-96, 11-1…

(1) Except as provided in rule 68B-32.009, F.A.C., a person may not harvest or unnecessarily destroy a tarpon within or without Florida Waters. (2) Temporary Possession by a Recreational Harvester - (a) Except as provided in rule 68B-32.009, F.A.C. and paragraph (2)(b), a recreat…

(1) Allowed Gear and Methods of Harvest - Within or without Florida Waters, a person may target or harvest a tarpon only with hook and line gear. All other gear and methods of harvest are prohibited. (2) Prohibited Gear and Methods of Harvest - A person may not harvest or attempt…

(1) A person may not purchase or sell a tarpon. (2) Transport for Sale Prohibited - A person may not transport a tarpon for the purpose of selling the tarpon, regardless of whether the tarpon will be sold within or without the State of Florida. (3) Restrictions on Transport and S…

(1) Tags Required for Possession - (a) A person may not harvest or possess a tarpon unless the person intends to submit that tarpon for an International Game Fish Association world record or Commission Florida state record. (b) A person may not harvest or possess a tarpon unless …

The purpose and intent of this chapter are to protect and conserve Florida's billfish and spearfish resources and increase public awareness of and concern for billfish through promotion of catch-and-release and other conservation practices and prohibition of sale. Rulemaking Auth…

As used in Chapter 68B-33, F.A.C.: "Billfish" means any of the following species, or a part thereof: (1) Makaira nigricans (blue marlin); (2) Kajikia albida (white marlin); (3) Istiophorus platypterus (sailfish), or (4) Tetrapturus georgeii (roundscale spearfish). Rulemaking Auth…

(1) Billfish Size Limits - (a) Blue Marlin Size Limit - A person may not harvest from Florida Waters, possess while in or on Florida waters or land a blue marlin that is less than 99 inches in lower jaw fork length. (b) White Marlin and Roundscale Spearfish Size Limit - A person …

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History-New 4-2-03, Amended 8-3-10, Repealed 9-1-13.

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History-New 10-1-02, Repealed 9-1-13.

(1) Recreational Aggregate Bag Limit - A person may not harvest from Florida Waters, possess in or on Florida Waters or land more than 1 billfish per day. Except as provided in subsection 68B-33.007(2), F.A.C., a person may not possess more than 1 billfish in the state of Florida…

A person may not harvest from Florida Waters, or possess in or on Florida Waters, or land a longbill spearfish (Tetrapturus pfluegeri) or a Mediterranean spearfish (Tetrapturus belone) or any part thereof. Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV,…

There is no closed season for billfish. Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History-New 4-2-03, Amended 9-1-13.

(1) Allowed Gear and Method of Harvest - A person may harvest or attempt to harvest a billfish from Florida Waters only by or with the use of hook and line gear. (2) Prohibition of Simultaneous Possession with Certain Types of Gear - Simultaneous possession in or on Florida Water…

(1) Prohibited Purchase and Sale - Except as provided in subsection (2), a person may not purchase or sell a billfish. (2) Exception to Sale, Purchase, and Possession Restrictions - A person may not exchange a portion of the billfish for the services provided pursuant to this sub…

A person who harvests a billfish from Florida Waters shall report the landing of the billfish as required by 50 C.F.R. 635.5(c)(2) (as of April 2, 2003), unless the person harvested the billfish as a participant in a fishing competition in which participants must register or an a…

The purpose and intent of this rule is to manage bonefish as a catch and release only fishery in recognition and in honor of the rich cultural heritage of sport fishing for bonefish in Florida waters. Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec.…

As used in Chapter 68B-34, F.A.C.: (1) "Bonefish" means a fish of the family Albulidae, or any part thereof. (2) "Target" means attempting to catch or take a fish by any means whatsoever. Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Cons…

There are no size limits for bonefish as bonefish is a catch and release fishery. Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History-New 3-1-88, Amended 1-1-98, Formerly 46-34.003, Amended 3-1-05, 7-1-11, 9-1-13.

(1) A person may not harvest or unnecessarily destroy a bonefish within or without Florida Waters. (2) Temporary Possession by a Recreational Harvester - (a) Except as provided in paragraph (2)(b), a recreational harvester may not possess a bonefish within or without Florida Wate…

There are no seasons for bonefish as bonefish is a year-round catch and release fishery. Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History-New 7-1-11, Amended 3-24-13, 9-1-13.

(1) Allowed Gear and Method of Harvest - Within or without Florida Waters, a person may target a bonefish only with hook and line gear. All other gear and methods of harvest are prohibited. (2) Prohibited Gear and Method of Harvest - A person may not use a multiple hook in conjun…

(1) The purpose and intent of this chapter are to protect and conserve Florida's pompano, African pompano, and permit resources and assure the continuing health and abundance of these species. (2) It is the intent of this chapter to expressly repeal and replace Section 370.11(2)(…

As used in this rule chapter: (1) "African pompano" means any fish of the species Alectis ciliaris, or any part thereof. (2) "Fishing pier" means a platform extending from shore over water, used primarily to provide a means for persons to harvest or attempt to harvest fish theref…

(1) Permit Size Limits - (a) Recreational Size Limits 1. Within the Special Permit Zone, no person shall harvest, possess, or land within or without state waters, any permit with a fork length less than 22 inches. 2. Outside of the Special Permit Zone, no person shall harvest, po…

(1) Permit Bag Limits - (a) Recreational Bag Limit 1. Within the Special Permit Zone, no person shall recreationally harvest or possess at any time within or without state waters or on any dock, pier, bridge, beach, or other fishing site adjacent to such waters more than one (1) …

(1) The harvest of pompano, African pompano, or permit within or without state waters by or with the use of any multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait, or the landing of such fish so harvested, is prohibited. Snagging (snatch hooking) of pompano, African pomp…

(1) POMPANO ENDORSEMENT - No person shall be issued a pompano endorsement on their saltwater products license without first meeting each of the following criteria: (a) The applicant must possess a Vessel Saltwater Products License with a Restricted Species Endorsement. (b) The ap…

Inside the Special Permit Zone, no person shall harvest, possess, purchase, sell or exchange any permit within or without state waters during the months of April, May, June, and July of each year. During this closed season, the possession of permit while in or on the waters of th…

Designation as a Restricted Species - Black drum are hereby designated as a restricted species, pursuant to Section 379.101(32), F.S. Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History-New 7-1-89, Formerly 46-36.001, Amended 9-1…

"Black drum" means a fish of the species Pogonias cromis, or any part thereof. Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History-New 7-1-89, Amended 7-15-96, 9-30-96, Formerly 46-36.002, Amended 7-1-06, 9-1-13.

(1) Minimum and Maximum Size Limits - (a) Recreational Minimum and Maximum Size Limits - 1. Except as provided in subparagraph (1)(a)2., a recreational harvester may not harvest or possess within or without Florida Waters or land a black drum that is less than 14 inches or greate…

(1) Recreational Bag Limits - A recreational harvester may not harvest within or without Florida Waters or land per day more than 5 black drum or possess within or without Florida Waters more than 5 black drum. (2) Commercial Limits - (a) Commerical Bag Limit - A commercial harve…

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History-New 7-1-89, Formerly 46-36.005, Repealed 9-1-13.

(1) A person may not use a multiple hook in conjunction with live or dead natural bait to harvest or attempt to harvest black drum within or without Florida. (2) A person may not harvest or attempt to harvest a black drum within or without Florida Waters by snagging the black dru…

(1) Designation as a Restricted Species - Spotted seatrout are hereby designated as a restricted species pursuant to Section 379.101(32), F.S. (2) Purpose and Intent - The purpose and intent of this chapter are to protect and conserve Florida's spotted seatrout resources and assu…

As used in Chapter 68B-37, F.A.C.: (1) "Big Bend Region" means all Florida Waters and adjacent federal waters of the Gulf of America lying east of 84°20.800ꞌ West Longitude in Franklin County and north of a line running due east and due west from the westernmost point of Fred How…

(1) Recreational Minimum and Maximum Size Limits - (a) Except as provided in paragraph (1)(b), a recreational harvester may not harvest or possess within or without Florida Waters or land a spotted seatrout that does not meet the specified size limits established in this paragrap…

(1) Recreational Bag Limits - A recreational harvester may not harvest or land per day from within or without Florida Waters of a region or possess more spotted seatrout within a region than the applicable bag limit established in this subsection for each region: (a) Panhandle Re…

(1) Recreational Closed Seasons - Except as provided in paragraphs (1)(a) and (1)(b), there is no closed season for the recreational harvest of spotted seatrout. (a) Panhandle Region - A person may not harvest or land a spotted seatrout from within or without Florida Waters of th…

(1) Allowed Gear and Method of Harvest - A person may harvest or attempt to harvest a spotted seatrout within or without Florida Waters only by or with the use of a cast net or hook and line gear. (2) Prohibited Gear and Method of Harvest - (a) A person may not harvest a spotted …