Florida Administrative Code

As used in Chapter 68B-41, F.A.C.: (1) "Atlantic Ocean" means all state waters along the east coast of Florida lying between the Florida-Georgia border and 83° West Longitude (near the Dry Tortugas Islands). (2) "Wahoo" means a fish of the species Acanthocybium solandri, or any p…

(1) Landed in Whole Condition Requirement - Except as provided elsewhere in this rule, a person harvesting wahoo shall land each wahoo in whole condition. A person may not possess in or on Florida Waters a wahoo that has been beheaded, sliced, divided, filleted, ground, skinned, …

(1) Recreational Limits - Bag Limit - A recreational harvester may not harvest or land per day from Florida Waters or possess in or on Florida Waters more than 2 wahoo. (2) Commercial Limits - (a) Bag Limit - A commercial harvester may not harvest or land per day from Florida Wat…

Wahoo harvested from Bahamian waters and transited to Florida pursuant to the requirements specified in subsection 68B-57.003(2), F.A.C., may not be sold or purchased. Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History-New 9-13-…

A person may not harvest a wahoo for commercial purposes from the Atlantic Ocean, unless they possess a valid federal commercial permit issued pursuant to 50 C.F.R. 622.4(a)(2)(xii) (as of January 3, 2005) in addition to a valid Saltwater Products License with a Restricted Specie…

Swordfish are hereby designated as 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 2-13-14.

As used in Chapter 68B-58, F.A.C.: (1) "Swordfish" means any fish of the species Xiphias gladius, or any part thereof. (2) "Cleithrum to keel length" means the length of a fish measured along the body contour, i.e., a curved measurement, from the point of the cleithrum that provi…

(1) Size Limit - A person may not harvest or land from Florida Waters, or possess in or on Florida Waters, a swordfish that is less than 47 inches in lower jaw fork length, or 25 inches in cleithrum to keel length. (2) A swordfish that is damaged by shark bites may be retained on…

(1) Recreational Limits - (a) Except as provided in subsections (2) and (3), a recreational harvester may not harvest or land from Florida Waters more than one swordfish per day or possess in or on Florida Waters more than one swordfish (consistent with the Federal Standard estab…

(1) If at any time adjacent federal Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) waters are closed to commercial harvest of swordfish, corresponding state waters shall also be closed to commercial harvest of swordfish, beginning from the date of such closure until federal waters are reopened to…

(1) The harvest or attempted harvest of any swordfish in or from state waters is prohibited except by use of hook and line gear. (2) The landing requirements contained in this section shall not apply to lawful commercial harvest in federal waters when such harvest is transported …

(1) A person who harvests a swordfish within or without Florida Waters may not sell a swordfish unless the harvester possesses a valid saltwater products license, a valid restricted species endorsement, and either a valid federal Limited Access Permit (LAP) for swordfish, valid f…

A person who harvests a swordfish from Florida Waters pursuant to subsection 68B-58.004(1), F.A.C. shall report the landing of the swordfish as required by 50 C.F.R. §635.5(c)(2) (as of September 20, 2013) unless the person harvested the swordfish as a participant in a fishing co…

(1) Sheepshead are hereby designated as restricted species pursuant to section 379.101(32), F.S. (2) The regulations in this chapter apply in all Florida Waters and in adjacent federal waters. Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla.…

"Sheepshead" means a fish of the species Archosargus probatocephalus, or any part thereof. Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History-New 9-1-13.

(1) Size Limit - A person may not harvest or possess within or without Florida Waters or land, a sheepshead that is less than 12 inches in total length. (2) Landed in Whole Condition Requirement - A person harvesting sheepshead shall land each sheepshead in whole condition. A per…

(1) Recreational Limits - (a) Recreational Bag Limit - A recreational harvester may not harvest or possess within or without Florida Waters or land more than 8 sheepshead per day. (b) Seasonal Recreational Vessel Limit - During the months of March and April, no more than 50 sheep…

(1) Allowed Gear and Method of Harvest - A person may harvest or attempt to harvest a sheepshead within or without Florida Waters only by or with the use of beach or haul seine, cast net, hook and line gear, or by spearing. (2) Prohibited Gear and Method of Harvest - (a) A person…

(1) The provisions of Chapter 68B-59, F.A.C., do not apply to sheepshead artificially spawned and raised in a commercial aquaculture facility. (2) A person who is in possession of or offering for sale a sheepshead that was artificially spawned and raised in a commercial aquacultu…

As used in this rule chapter: (1) "Coral" means the corals of the Class Hydrozoa (stinging and hydrocorals); the Class Anthozoa, Subclass Hexacorallia, Order Scleractinia (stony corals) and Antipatharia (black corals). (2) "Ecological Reserve" means an area of the Sanctuary consi…

(1) WESTERN SAMBOS ECOLOGICAL RESERVE - For purposes of the restrictions specified in Rule 68B-6.003, F.A.C., the Western Sambos Ecological Reserve shall consist of all state waters located within the following geographic boundary coordinates: Point Latitude Longitude 1 24°33.70ꞌ…

(1) ECOLOGICAL RESERVE AND SANCTUARY PRESERVATION AREAS - The following activities are prohibited within the Western Sambos Ecological Reserve, Tortugas North Ecological Reserve, and the Cheeca Rocks, Eastern Dry Rocks, Hens and Chickens, Newfound Harbor Key, Rock Key, and Sand K…

(1) WESTERN DRY ROCKS - For purposes of the restrictions specified in subsection (2) below, Western Dry Rocks shall consist of all state waters located within the following geographic boundary coordinates: Point Latitude Longitude 1 24°26.217ꞌN 81°57.007ꞌW 2 24°25.676ꞌN 81°57.002…

"Great barracuda" means a fish of the species Sphyraena barracuda, or any part thereof. Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History-New 11-1-15.

Minimum and Maximum Size Limits - The following size limits apply to recreational and commercial harvesters in all state and adjacent federal waters of the Gulf of America south of a line extended due west from the Collier-Lee County Line (26°19.823'N. Latitude) and all state and…

The following bag and vessel limits apply in all state and adjacent federal waters of the Gulf of America south of a line extended due west from the Collier-Lee County Line (26°19.823'N. Latitude) and all state and adjacent federal waters of the Atlantic Ocean south of a line ext…

"Blue runner" means a fish of the species Caranx crysos, or any part thereof. Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History-New 1-3-14.

(1) Recreational Bag Limits - A recreational harvester may not harvest within or without Florida Waters or land more than 100 blue runner per day or possess within or without Florida Waters more than 100 blue runner. (2) Commercial Limits - A commercial harvester is not subject t…

No person shall harvest within or without Florida Waters or land more than 100 blue runner per day, possess within or without Florida Waters more than 100 blue runner, or harvest blue runner for commercial purposes unless such person possesses a valid saltwater products license. …

The regulations in this chapter apply in all Florida Waters and in adjacent federal waters. Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History-New 1-1-20.

"Blackfin tuna" means a fish of the species Thunnus atlanticus, or any part thereof. Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History-New 1-1-20.

(1) Recreational Bag Limit - Except when harvesting pursuant to the 10-fish vessel limit provided in subsection (2) below, a recreational harvester harvesting blackfin tuna may not harvest or possess within or without Florida Waters or land more than 2 blackfin tuna per day. (2) …

(1) "East Coast Region" means all Florida Waters along the east coast north of the Miami-Dade/Monroe County line at Card Sound. (2) "Spot" means a fish of the species Leiostomus xanthurus, or any part thereof. Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art.…

(1) Recreational Bag Limit - A recreational harvester may not harvest or land from the East Coast Region more than 50 spot per day, or possess in or on waters of the East Coast Region more than 50 spot. (2) Commercial Vessel Limit - Commercial harvesters aboard a vessel in or on …

(1) "East Coast Region" means all Florida Waters along the east coast north of the Miami-Dade/Monroe County line at Card Sound. (2) "Atlantic croaker" means a fish of the species Micropogonias undulatus, or any part thereof. Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law I…

(1) Recreational Bag Limit - A recreational harvester may not harvest or land from the East Coast Region more than 50 Atlantic croaker per day, or possess in or on waters of the East Coast Region more than 50 Atlantic croaker. (2) Commercial Vessel Limit - Commercial harvesters a…

The purpose of this chapter is to establish a marine information system, hereinafter referred to as the Marine Fisheries Trip Ticket Program, as required by Section 379.2402, F.S., that provides commercial fisheries data necessary for management of sustainable fisheries in Florid…

As used in Chapter 68B-65, F.A.C.: (1) "Commercially harvested" means a marine organism harvested: (a) For sale or with intent to sell; or (b) With respect to a species for which no recreational bag limit or recreational vessel limit has been established, of a quantity greater th…

(1) Persons Responsible for Reporting - The following persons are required to report information on commercially harvested marine organisms to the Commission: (a) A wholesale dealer who purchases a marine organism in Florida from a commercial harvester. (b) A wholesale dealer who…

(1) A wholesale dealer required to report information on commercially harvested marine organisms pursuant to subsection 68B-65.003(1), F.A.C., must provide the commercial harvester who sold or otherwise transferred a marine organism to the wholesale dealer with a copy of the rele…

The submission of required trip tickets is an eligibility requirement for saltwater products licenses and wholesale dealer licenses. The Commission may revoke, suspend, or deny the renewal of the license of anyone required to report trip tickets for failure to make required repor…

The regulations in this chapter apply in all state and federal waters of Biscayne National Park. Rulemaking Authority Art. IV. Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV. Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History-New 7-1-20.

As used in this rule chapter: (1) "Bluestriped grunt" means any fish of the species Haemulon sciurus, or any part thereof. (2) "Bonefish" means a fish of the family Albulidae, or any part thereof. (3) "Fishing" means: (a) The catching, taking, or harvesting of fish; (b) The attem…

(1) Park-Specific Minimum Size Limits - Except as provided in subsection (2), a person may not harvest from the waters of Biscayne National Park or possess or land in or on waters of Biscayne National Park a fish that is smaller than the following minimum size limits (a) Gray Tri…

(1) A recreational harvester may not harvest or possess more than 10 fish from the Major Finfish Aggregate in any combination in or on the waters of Biscayne National Park, or land more than 10 fish from the Major Finfish Aggregate within Biscayne National Park, regardless of whe…

(1) Coral Reef Protection Areas - (a) A person may not harvest or attempt to harvest any species of the families Palinuridae (spiny lobsters), Scyllaridae (slipper lobsters), or Synaxidae (furry lobsters) from the Coral Reef Protection Areas. Except for persons in continuous tran…

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recognizes that there are justifiable reasons to allow the harvest, possession, or release of marine organisms that would require the waiver of one or more of the state's marine fisheries rules. Such activities include but are…

As used in Chapter 68B-8, F.A.C.: (1) "Anadromous" means species of fish that live in sea waters and migrate to fresh or estuarine waters to spawn. (2) "Broodstock" means any wild or captive marine organism of any life stage collected or held for propagation. (3) "Captivity" mean…

(1) An SAL or FMSEA Certification is not transferable. (2) Law Enforcement Notification - A license holder must provide notice to the Commission's Division of Law Enforcement of their intent to conduct activities authorized by an SAL or FMSEA Certification no less than 24 hours p…

Rulemaking Authority Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. Law Implemented Art. IV, Sec. 9, Fla. Const. History-New 7-1-04, Repealed 5-19-25.